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Key reforms to youth competitions recommended

Sat, 24 Jan, 2026

Key reforms to youth competitions recommended

Jeddah: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment towards elevating the standards of its top-level competitions, as outlined in its Vision and Mission, marked a significant milestone today after the AFC Competitions Committee recommended measures aimed at further enhancing the Confederation’s youth competitions at its fifth meeting held in Saudi Arabia.

Led by Chairperson Dr Tran Quoc Tuan, the Committee took the opportunity to wish the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ finalists – China PR and Japan – the very best of success ahead of today’s decider at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah and applauded the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for their impeccable hosting capabilities.

#ACFutsal2026 challengers set for Indonesia showdown

Wed, 14 Jan, 2026

#ACFutsal2026 challengers set for Indonesia showdown

Kuala Lumpur: Thrilling battles await at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ when it kicks off on January 27 (Tuesday) in Jakarta as 16 teams chase ultimate glory.

The 18th edition of the tournament features a host of familiar contenders, with 13 returning from the previous campaign in 2024, including the ever-present quartet of Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Thailand and Uzbekistan, who extend their record of appearing in every Finals to date.

Maiden AFC Club Management Programme cohort ready to elevate leadership capacities

Mon, 19 Jan, 2026

Maiden AFC Club Management Programme cohort ready to elevate leadership capacities

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today kicked off the inaugural edition of the AFC Club Management Programme (ACMP), which aims to enhance leadership knowledge and skills in order to meet the demands of Asia’s rapidly-changing football environment.

The first batch of 40 candidates, comprising the Continent’s current and emerging football leaders, will undergo a nine-month, fully online programme that will give them a holistic understanding of club football operations in Asia and equip them with the key strategic and administrative abilities required to maximise the potential of Asian clubs.

Visa named Official Global Supporter of AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™

Thu, 15 Jan, 2026

Visa named Official Global Supporter of AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced Visa, a global leader in digital payments, as the Official Global Supporter of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ and the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™, two of Asia’s premier men’s football competitions.

This partnership builds on Visa’s long-standing commitment to global sports and its focus on delivering secure, seamless, and innovative payment solutions. As a host nation, Saudi Arabia will welcome fans, teams, and partners from across the Continent, with Visa enabling enhanced fan engagement, greater accessibility, and more connected matchday experiences on and off the pitch.

#AWCL contenders to discover Knockout Stage showdowns

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

#AWCL contenders to discover Knockout Stage showdowns

Kuala Lumpur: The Continent’s elite women’s clubs are set for the AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) 2025/26™ Knockout Stage Draw, which will take place at 3pm on January 15 (Thursday) at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Eight teams—the top two of each group and the two best third-placed sides overall—progressed from the Group Stage, which concluded last November, to take their place in the next round of the second edition of the landmark AWCL and will contest single-leg Quarter-finals on March 28 and 29, 2026.

Viettel appointed Official Media Partner of AFC competitions in Vietnam

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Viettel appointed Official Media Partner of AFC competitions in Vietnam

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced a new multi-year media rights partnership with Viettel Group, appointing the company as the Official Media Partner for a wide range of the AFC’s national team and club competitions in Vietnam, with the agreement coming into force and effect from January 1, 2026.

Through this agreement, Viettel will deliver comprehensive coverage of Asia’s premier football competitions via its TV360 platform, providing over 10 million active users across Vietnam with enhanced access to world-class Asian football content.

Road to #AFCU23 glory ignites at Saudi Arabia 2026

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Road to #AFCU23 glory ignites at Saudi Arabia 2026

Kuala Lumpur: All eyes will turn to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a week’s time when the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ gets underway in the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh.

The Continent’s best talents are poised to prove that they can make the next step in their careers at the seventh edition of the tournament, which runs from January 6 to 24.

#ACLTwo knockout ties to be determined

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

#ACLTwo knockout ties to be determined

Kuala Lumpur: The remaining 16 teams in the AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) 2025/26 will discover their Knockout Stage opponents on December 30 (Tuesday) at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Eight teams each from the West and East successfully progressed from the Group Stage, which concluded on Wednesday, to seal their Round of 16 berths in the 21st edition of the Continent’s second-tier men’s tournament and keep their hopes of glory alive.

Venues confirmed for AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2026

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Venues confirmed for AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced today the two match venues that will stage the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2026, which will take place between April 16 to 25, 2026.

Having both hosted the 2025 edition of the ACL Elite Finals, the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium will once again serve as the battlegrounds for the final seven showdowns of the 2025/26 season of the ACL Elite.

Karma Dema: I want to open doors for more women in Bhutanese football

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

Karma Dema: I want to open doors for more women in Bhutanese football

Kuala Lumpur: The latest edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s It’s My Game campaign follows the career of Bhutan’s Karma Dema, one of the 20 women coaches selected for the pilot edition of the landmark AFC–Japan Football Association (JFA) Pro Diploma course.

At just 32, Dema has already carved her name into Bhutanese football history when, in 2024, she took charge of newly formed Tsirang FC, becoming one of the first women to lead a men’s team in the Bhutan Premier League (BPL).

AFC to introduce Nations League to enhance development opportunities

Sun, 21 Dec, 2025

AFC to introduce Nations League to enhance development opportunities

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening National Team football across the Continent with plans to introduce an AFC Nations League in the coming period, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance development opportunities for its Member Associations (MAs) and establish a more structured and sustainable international match framework.

In line with the recent successful reforms across the AFC’s club competitions ecosystem, the Confederation continues to pursue strategic initiatives that support sustainable growth, competitive balance and meaningful match exposure, while improving calendar certainty for National Teams.

AFC Associations Committee strengthens good governance and professional standards

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

AFC Associations Committee strengthens good governance and professional standards

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s continued strides towards upholding its cherished values of good governance and professionalism were further underlined by the AFC Associations Committee at its third meeting held virtually on Friday.

At the outset, Chairperson Hachem Haidar singled out the landmark Guidelines on Principles of Good Governance for Regional Associations’ (RAs) Statutes, which have been strategically introduced with the aim of ensuring the democratic, fair, transparent, and financially responsible functioning of the AFC's five RAs.