Media Releases - Latest News

#ChallengeLeague set for Preliminary Stage showdowns

Tue, 04 Aug, 2026

#ChallengeLeague set for Preliminary Stage showdowns

Kuala Lumpur: Eighteen clubs are ready to do battle in the AFC Challenge League (ACGL) 2026/27™ Preliminary Stage, which kicks off on August 11 (Tuesday).

The quartet of Bangladesh Police FC, Central Stallions FC, Fortis FC and Karketu Dili FC will be making their Continental debuts as they vie for a spot among the winners of the nine single-leg ties—five in the West and four in the East—that will advance to the Group Stage of Asia’s third-tier men’s club competition, previously known as the AFC President’s Cup.

Preliminary battles to kick off in #ACLElite and #ACLTwo

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Preliminary battles to kick off in #ACLElite and #ACLTwo

Kuala Lumpur: The quest to reach the league and group stages of both the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) and AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) for the 2026/27 campaign gets underway next week with seven high-stakes one-off ties in the Preliminary Stage.

Four League Stage berths are at stake in the ACL Elite—two each in the West and East Regions—as eight clubs do battle on August 11 (Tuesday), with the losing clubs directly entering the Group Stage of the ACL Two.

AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF to protect the FIFA World Cup

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF to protect the FIFA World Cup

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has observed with deep concern the developments of recent days relating to the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) and the uncertainty that has emerged across the global football community.

The AFC stands in solidarity with UEFA and CONCACAF in expressing serious concerns over FIFA’s proposal to introduce private investment into FIFA's flagship competitions and the decision-making process around FFE. The fact that the situation has reached the point where the real possibility of a FIFA World Cup boycott has entered public discourse should concern everyone who cares about the future of our game. Football should never have been placed in such a position.

Japan to host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028™

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Japan to host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee officially ratified a series of major hosting and regulatory decisions, including the confirmation of Japan as the host of the 2028 edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™, which will serve as Asia’s qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.

Japan secured the hosting rights following a competitive bidding process that included submissions from Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Qatar, and Uzbekistan as well as the United Arab Emirates, who subsequently withdrew earlier this year.

AFC statement on the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

AFC statement on the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has noted FIFA's announcement concerning the proposed establishment of FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE).

The AFC was not consulted on the proposal and is disappointed that a matter of such significance entered the public domain before the AFC family had been afforded the opportunity to examine and discuss it through the appropriate and established governance channels.

Largest-ever cast for #U17WAC Qualifiers Draw

Mon, 13 Jul, 2026

Largest-ever cast for #U17WAC Qualifiers Draw

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ will witness the highest ever number of participating teams in its Qualifiers as it looks towards the 2027 edition.

A total of 30 teams—two more than the previous record of 28 from the 2019 Qualifiers—will enter the draw, which takes place on July 16 (Thursday) at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

AFC announces US media rights partnership with CBS Sports

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

AFC announces US media rights partnership with CBS Sports

Every match of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028™ to stream live on Paramount+

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced a media rights partnership with CBS Sports in the United States of America and its territories (including Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico), giving fans across the country access to live English-language coverage of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028™, with every match streaming live on Paramount+.

Volunteer registration opens for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™

Tue, 07 Jul, 2026

Volunteer registration opens for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™

Riyadh: The opportunity to experience the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ as a volunteer has arrived today with the start of the registration process.

With six months to go before the grandest-ever edition of the Continental showpiece kicks off on January 7, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has opened sign-ups for the tournament’s volunteer programme, which is open to all.

Record cast in hat for #AWCL Preliminary Stage draw

Tue, 30 Jun, 2026

Record cast in hat for #AWCL Preliminary Stage draw

Kuala Lumpur: Ahead of its third season, the AFC Women’s Champions League™ will welcome its largest-ever number of participants as the 2026/27 campaign prepares to kick off with the Preliminary Stage draw.

Reinforcing the encouraging growth of women’s football across the Continent, a total of 30 clubs—five more than the preceding edition—from 29 different Member Associations (MAs) have registered entries.

AFC President hails dynamic duo, urges focus on long-term growth

Sun, 28 Jun, 2026

AFC President hails dynamic duo, urges focus on long-term growth

Kuala Lumpur: The President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, has extended his warmest congratulations to Asia’s standout duo—Japan and Australia—following their qualification for the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

By navigating through the Group Stage of the newly expanded 48-team format, the pair’s advancement ensures that the AFC equalled its historical best of two teams reaching the knockout rounds on foreign soil, matching the milestone originally set at South Africa 2010.

ALBAIK™ named Official Global Supporter of AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™

Thu, 25 Jun, 2026

ALBAIK™ named Official Global Supporter of AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced ALBAIK™ as an Official Global Supporter of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. The worldwide partnership brings one of Saudi Arabia's most loved homegrown food brands into the commercial programme of the Continent's flagship men's national team competition.

Founded in Jeddah in 1974, ALBAIK™ has grown from a single outlet into one of Saudi Arabia's most recognised brands, and its partnership with the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ carries that legacy into one of the most anticipated moments in the Kingdom's sporting calendar.

Astro renews partnership with AFC as Official Media Partner in Malaysia until 2028/29

Tue, 23 Jun, 2026

Astro renews partnership with AFC as Official Media Partner in Malaysia until 2028/29

Agreement ensures broad coverage of Asia's flagship national team and club competitions for local football enthusiasts

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced the renewal of its long-standing partnership with Astro, Malaysia’s leading content and entertainment provider, extending its role as the Confederation’s Official Media Partner in Malaysia.