AFC News

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.

WAFF seminar strengthens child safeguarding practices

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

WAFF seminar strengthens child safeguarding practices

Jeddah: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) joined hands with the West Asian Football Confederation (WAFF) to conduct a child safeguarding seminar from November 25 to 26 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Taking place on the sidelines of the 9th WAFF Women’s Football Championship, where Jordan defeated Palestine to claim their seventh title, the seminar was attended by safeguarding officers and other representatives from the Bahrain Football Association (BFA), Iraqi Football Association (IFA), Jordan Football Association (JFA), Lebanese Football Association (LFA), Qatar Football Association (QFA), Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), and the Yemen Football Association (YFA).

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

#WAC2026 officials strengthen capabilities at Referees Seminar

Bangkok: With less than 100 days to go to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted a refereeing seminar from December 1 to 5, 2025, for match officials appointed to the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

Hailing from 20 AFC Member Associations (MAs), the 45-strong cast will comprise 16 referees and 18 assistant referees, including two standby officials for each position, as well as 11 Video Match Officials (VMOs), making it the largest-ever contingent of match officials in the competition’s history.

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).

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.

First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ mascot unveiled

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

First-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ mascot unveiled

Gold Coast: With less than 100 days to go, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ today unveiled the first-ever official mascot in the history of the competition: Naara, the fire horse.

Introduced to fans amid festivities celebrating International Volunteers’ Day in Gold Coast, the milestone follows the launch of WAVEMAKER, the tournament’s first-ever bespoke match ball created by Kelme, further underscoring the AFC’s commitment to setting new benchmarks for the Continent’s premier women’s national team competition.

China PR to host AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027™

Thu, 04 Dec, 2025

China PR to host AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee ratified on Wednesday the AFC Competitions Committee’s recommendation to award the hosting rights of the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027™ to the Chinese Football Association.

First held in 1959, the 2027 showpiece will mark the competition’s 43rd edition with China PR, the sole bidders, set to provide the backdrop for Asia’s top 16 sides for a second consecutive occasion following the success of the 2025 iteration, which was held in Shenzhen from February 12 to March 1 this year.

Australia lead AFC Women’s Club Competition Mid-Season Ranking

Tue, 02 Dec, 2025

Australia lead AFC Women’s Club Competition Mid-Season Ranking

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today confirmed the AFC Women’s Club Competition Mid-Season Ranking, with Australia remaining in pole position.

With a total of 97.934 points, Australia are followed by East Asian heavyweights Japan and China PR in second and third place respectively.

AFC President offers condolences to HKFA

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025

AFC President offers condolences to HKFA

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has expressed his profound sorrow to The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA) following the tragic fire at the Wang Fuk Court housing complex in Tai Po district, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and left many injured.

Shaikh Salman said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of all those who have been affected by this devastating tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the HKFA and the wider community as they mourn the lives lost and support those who have been injured.”

AFC President confident of Asian success at FIFA Arab Cup

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

AFC President confident of Asian success at FIFA Arab Cup

Kuala Lumpur: The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 will feature some of Asia’s premier teams and Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has called upon them to showcase Asian football at its best as he simultaneously sent his well wishes to the host nation and its Local Organising Committee.

The highly anticipated tournament – the Arab world’s biggest football showdown – is being hosted for the second consecutive time by Qatar after the inaugural edition in 2021. Scheduled to be played from December 1 to 18, the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 features a total of 16 teams from the AFC and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Asian trio officiate 3rd place match at #U17WC

Fri, 28 Nov, 2025

Asian trio officiate 3rd place match at #U17WC

Doha: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s unwavering efforts to produce world-class referees were once again underlined with the appointment of three Asian officials to the third-place Play-off at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.

The match, which took place yesterday, saw Italy edge Brazil on penalties following a 0-0 draw.