AFC News

AFC-UEFA partnership to drive refereeing excellence

Fri, 13 Feb, 2026

AFC-UEFA partnership to drive refereeing excellence

Limassol: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) recently concluded a high-level strategic meeting with the UEFA Referees Department in Limassol, Cyprus, reaffirming a shared commitment to strengthening global officiating standards through structured cooperation, technical exchange, and long-term development initiatives.

The meeting saw the establishment of a structured framework for enhanced technical cooperation aimed at continuously strengthening refereeing structures, governance models and performance standards across competitions at all levels.

AFC Emergency Medicine & Anti-Doping Regional Course reinforces players’ health care

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026

AFC Emergency Medicine & Anti-Doping Regional Course reinforces players’ health care

Chennai: The AFC Emergency Medicine & Anti-Doping Regional Course concluded successfully in Chennai, India, on Thursday after four days of intensive technical training aimed at enhancing on-field medical proficiency.

Held in collaboration with the All India Football Federation (AIFF), the course took place at the renowned Sri Ramachandra Centre for Sports Science (SRCSS) and was led by AFC Medical Committee Chairperson Dato’ Dr. Gurcharan Singh, alongside SRCSS Director Professor Dr. Arumugam Sivaraman.

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.

AFC President hails IR Iran’s #ACFutsal2026 dominance

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026

AFC President hails IR Iran’s #ACFutsal2026 dominance

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the Islamic Republic of Iran after the Central Asians defeated Indonesia on penalties to claim a record-extending 14th AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ title at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Saturday.

In a tightly contested battle, host nation and first-time finalists Indonesia were denied a historic triumph with Hossein Sabzi converting the decisive penalty to give IR Iran a 5-4 shootout victory after the thrilling Final ended 5-5 after extra-time.

AFC Video Match Officials Selection Course 2026 reinforces standards

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026

AFC Video Match Officials Selection Course 2026 reinforces standards

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Video Match Officials (VMO) Selection Course 2026 drew to an end on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, marking yet another step forward in the Confederation’s continuous efforts to enhance officiating standards on the Continent.

Conducted as part of the selection process to evaluate officials for potential appointment in future AFC competitions, the course involved 18 VMOs newly-registered on the FIFA List for 2026, including seven officials from the AFC Referee Academy.

Final Draws to set 2026 stage for #AFCU17 and #U17WAC

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Final Draws to set 2026 stage for #AFCU17 and #U17WAC

Kuala Lumpur: The casts for both the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ and AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ will learn their Group Stage fate on February 12 (Thursday) at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Qualification for the next edition of Asia’s U17 women’s national team showpiece concluded in October 2025, with the eight group winners advancing to join four automatically-qualified sides. Meanwhile, seven group winners progressed from the Qualifiers for the men’s equivalent in November 2025 to complete the final line-up alongside nine automatic entrants.

#ACLTwo contenders gear up for knockout battles

Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

#ACLTwo contenders gear up for knockout battles

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Two (ACL Two) 2025/26™ is set for a thrilling return to action when the Knockout Stage kicks off on February 10 (Tuesday).

Sixteen clubs will continue their quest for glory in the two-legged showdowns, with the pairings—as well as the route to the Final—determined during a draw in December.

AFC receives bids to host for AFC Asian Cup 2035™

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

AFC receives bids to host for AFC Asian Cup 2035™

Kuala Lumpur: Following the proposal put forward by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa at the 35th AFC Congress to explore the possibility of presenting the host selections for both the 2031 and 2035 editions of the AFC Asian Cup™ for approval at a single Congress, the AFC has concluded the process of receiving bids from interested Member Associations (MAs) for the AFC Asian Cup 2035™.

The bidding process for the AFC Asian Cup 2031™ was completed last year and attracted strong interest from across the Continent. Subsequently, and in line with the AFC President's forward-looking approach, invitations to bid for the 2035 edition were circulated to MAs on August 27, 2025, with the submission window closing on December 31, 2025.

#WAC2026 one-month countdown begins with Trophy Road Trip

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

#WAC2026 one-month countdown begins with Trophy Road Trip

Perth: The one-month countdown to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ got underway in spectacular fashion at Scarborough Beach in Perth, where the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee launched the official AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ Trophy Road Trip.

Set against Western Australia’s iconic coastline, the launch offered fans a rare chance to get up close to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ trophy, the most prestigious silverware in women’s football in Asia.

Hybrid ACFAM programme graduates in Indonesia poised for leadership excellence

Fri, 30 Jan, 2026

Hybrid ACFAM programme graduates in Indonesia poised for leadership excellence

Jakarta: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s groundbreaking AFC Certificate in Football Administration and Management (ACFAM) hybrid programme today celebrated its latest batch of graduates, who will now set their sights on more meaningful contributions to the Asian game.

The 10 graduates were part of a unique hybrid initiative that was delivered as part of the Garuda Academy’s CORE 3 and CORE 4 Programme, in collaboration with the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI).

18th AFC Knowledge Sharing Programme kicks off

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

18th AFC Knowledge Sharing Programme kicks off

Kuala Lumpur: The 18th iteration of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Knowledge Sharing Programme (KSP) commenced on Wednesday, marking the first edition of the initiative in 2026.

The programme will feature one participant from the Syrian Football Association, who will be assigned to the AFC Referees Department from January 28 to February 13.

AFC welcomes McDonald’s as Official Regional Partner of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™

Wed, 28 Jan, 2026

AFC welcomes McDonald’s as Official Regional Partner of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced McDonald’s as an Official Regional Partner of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, marking a landmark collaboration between Asia’s premier women’s national team competition and one of Australia’s and the world’s most iconic brands.

Under the partnership, McDonald’s Australia – popularly known in the country as Macca’s – will support the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ across Australia, building on its long-standing connection with sport, local communities and fans. From in-restaurant visits to at-home matchday moments, the partnership will create multiple touchpoints for supporters to connect with the tournament wherever and however they choose to watch the action whilst enjoying their Macca’s.