AFC launches Youth Academy Network to strengthen elite player development

Wed, 28 Oct, 2026

AFC launches Youth Academy Network to strengthen elite player development

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) launched the AFC Youth Academy Network on Tuesday, marking yet another milestone in its efforts to ensure the success of Asian teams on the global stage.

Launched virtually and chaired by AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh, the initiative aims to enhance communication between the Confederation and the elite youth academies across its Member Associations (MAs) to foster greater cooperation and knowledge exchange.

Uzbekistan’s AFC Elite Youth Scheme three-star membership renewed

Fri, 23 Oct, 2026

Uzbekistan’s AFC Elite Youth Scheme three-star membership renewed

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has renewed the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA)’s three-star membership under the AFC Elite Youth Scheme, in recognition of its commitment to enhancing its elite youth football landscape.

Alongside the UFA’s three-star renewal, the Republican National Football Academy in Tashkent was also awarded the same honour, while the Samarkand Regional Football Academy and the Bukhara Regional Football Academy received two-star endorsements.

Saudi Arabia joins AFC Elite Youth Scheme as newest three-star member

Tue, 06 Oct, 2026

Saudi Arabia joins AFC Elite Youth Scheme as newest three-star member

Riyadh: The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has become the latest Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Association (MA) to be endorsed as a three-star member of the AFC Elite Youth Scheme.

Alongside the SAFF’s endorsement, the Confederation also bestowed a two-star recognition on the Al Qadsiah Club Academy.

AFC Youth Panel meeting advances plans for youth development

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

AFC Youth Panel meeting advances plans for youth development

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Youth Panel Meeting for the 2026-27 term took place on Tuesday to explore avenues to turn the potential of youth footballers in Asia into sustained and professional progress.

Chaired by AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh, the high-level platform follows the recent AFC Grassroots Panel and AFC Coach Education Panel meetings, which took place earlier this month.

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.