Technical - Latest News

Coaches Circle 15 shines spotlight on Julen Lopetegui

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Coaches Circle 15 shines spotlight on Julen Lopetegui

Kuala Lumpur: Julen Lopetegui, who led Qatar to their maiden FIFA World Cup qualification on merit in October last year, takes centre stage in the latest edition of Coaches Circle, now available on the-AFC.com.

Hailing from Spain’s Basque Country, the 59-year-old boasts of serving as custodian for both La Liga giants Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, while his impressive managerial career has also spanned various age groups across the Spain’s national teams as well as reputed clubs across Europe, including Spain’s Sevilla FC, Portugal’s FC Porto, and English sides West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, before taking the reins of the Al Annabi in May 2025.

FFC’s youth development drive recognised with AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star membership

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

FFC’s youth development drive recognised with AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star membership

Phnom Penh: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) as the latest one-star member under the acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme.

The endorsement followed an on-site assessment by AFC Youth Panel members, who were pleased to note the Federation’s commitment to the long-term improvement of its youth football landscape.

HKFA Football Care Programme unites communities in Hong Kong, China

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

HKFA Football Care Programme unites communities in Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong, China: The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA)’s efforts to expand the reach of grassroots football gathered momentum in 2025, as the HKFA Football Care Programme, which commenced in 2024, continued to deliver meaningful impact across the community.

The programme has played a pivotal role in fostering a culture that reflects the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s philosophy of the beautiful game belonging to people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Lebanese FA’s vision for youth development earns AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star renewal

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Lebanese FA’s vision for youth development earns AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star renewal

Beirut: The Lebanese Football Association (LFA)’s continuous efforts to elevate youth football programmes have been recognised with the renewal of its status as a one-star member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s acclaimed Elite Youth Scheme.

Alongside the LFA, Athletico Football Club Academy also secured a one-star renewal, while Beirut Football Academy and Safa Football Club Academy became the latest clubs to be bestowed with one-star membership, following a virtual inspection conducted by AFC Youth Panel members on December 10, 2025.

AFC Grassroots Charter welcomes Syrian FA as latest silver member

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

AFC Grassroots Charter welcomes Syrian FA as latest silver member

Damascus: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the Syrian Football Association (SFA) as the latest silver level member under the acclaimed AFC Grassroots Charter.

First endorsed with a bronze membership in 2021, the AFC grassroots panel bestowed the silver membership following a virtual assessment which reflected the SFA’s sustained commitment to elevating grassroots football across the nation.

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 Futsal Technical Workshop 2 strengthens coaching pathways

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

AFC Futsal Technical Workshop 2 strengthens coaching pathways

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) took another step forward in its quest to enhance futsal coach education in Asia when it conducted the AFC Futsal Technical Workshop 2 (2025) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Held from December 15 to 19, the workshop saw leading experts collaborate, share insights, and contribute to the development of a new modernised coaching syllabus that reflects the evolution of the global futsal landscape.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/technical/womens_football.html/video/its-my-game-karma-dema

Spotlight on global trends at AFC Special Youth Online Session 2025

Fri, 12 Dec, 2025

Spotlight on global trends at AFC Special Youth Online Session 2025

Kuala Lumpur: In its quest to continue elevating youth development across the Continent, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the AFC Special Youth Online Session (Men) on Thursday.

The virtual event brought together technical specialists from across the AFC Member Associations to explore ways to strengthen youth football across Asia.

Honing developmental pathways for the women’s game

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Honing developmental pathways for the women’s game

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment to enhancing women’s football on the Continent was once again underlined when it conducted the AFC Special Youth Online Session (Women) on Tuesday.

With the 2025/26 season already reaching key milestones and less than 100 days to go to the AFC Women’s Asia Cup Australia 2026, the virtual event allowed participants to reflect on the past year and utilise the learnings to strengthen developmental pathways for the future.

AFC Coach Education Tutors Course 2025 to strengthen coaching standards

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

AFC Coach Education Tutors Course 2025 to strengthen coaching standards

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s resolve to enhance coach education on the Continent was once again reiterated with the successful conclusion of the AFC Coach Education Tutors Course 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Taking place from December 1 to 5, the programme included Coach Educators from across Asia who will underwent an intensive educational journey designed to equip them with the necessary skills to deliver and improve AFC Pro Licence courses in their respective Member Associations (MAs).

https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/technical/coach_education.html/photo/afc-coach-education-tutors-course-2025-day-1