AFC Elite Youth Scheme adds Chinese Football Association to three-star membership

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

AFC Elite Youth Scheme adds Chinese Football Association to three-star membership

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the Chinese Football Association (CFA) as the latest three-star member of its acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme.

Endorsed at two-star status in October 2024, the CFA received the upgrade to the highest category following a comprehensive evaluation last month, which also awarded three-star membership to the Shandong Luneng Taishan Football School, Shanghai Shenhua FC Academy and Zhejiang FC Academy – making them the first club academies in China PR to reach this tier.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3183564

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3183566

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3183568

HKFA receives AFC Elite Youth Scheme One-Star renewal

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

HKFA receives AFC Elite Youth Scheme One-Star renewal

Kuala Lumpur: The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA)'s One-Star membership under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Elite Youth Scheme was renewed in recognition of its continued commitment to enhancing its elite youth development programme.

The renewal was also extended to Hong Kong Football Club Academy and Lee Man Football Club Academy, in acknowledgment of the continued progress both institutions have made in nurturing young talent and strengthening the player pathway in Hong Kong, China.

AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia™ Technical Report available now

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia™ Technical Report available now

Kuala Lumpur: The technical report for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ is now available on the-AFC.com, capturing the key highlights from the seventh and final non-Olympic edition of the competition.

Taking place across the host cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, the 2026 iteration saw Japan clinch their third title after beating China PR in the Final.

AFC Elite Youth Scheme renews Japan FA’s three-star membership

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

AFC Elite Youth Scheme renews Japan FA’s three-star membership

Tokyo: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has renewed the Japan Football Association (JFA)’s three-star membership under the acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme, recognising the nation’s continuous enhancement of its youth development landscape.

Alongside the JFA, a three-star renewal was also recommended for the JFA Academy Fukushima, while FC Imabari Academy became the first professional J.League club academy to achieve a three-star endorsement.

Focus on #U17AC at AFC Youth Online Session 2026

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus on #U17AC at AFC Youth Online Session 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the AFC Youth Online Session 2026 on Wednesday, marking the start of a series of virtual sessions aimed at analysing the performances of national teams and clubs in recent AFC competitions.

Attended by representatives from across the Continent, the event primarily focused on the emerging trends identified at the recently concluded AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ as part of efforts to better prepare Asia’s representatives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November.

Korea Republic’s three-star status renewed under AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Mon, 04 May, 2026

Korea Republic’s three-star status renewed under AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Jeonju: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reaffirmed its confidence in the Korea Football Association (KFA)’s continuous efforts to enhance its youth development landscape by renewing its status as a three-star member of the acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme.

Along with the KFA, the renowned Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC Academy was also endorsed with a three-star membership.