AFC News

AFC Member Associations and Regional Associations Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2026 opens with focus on leadership and innovation

Wed, 21 Oct, 2026

AFC Member Associations and Regional Associations Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2026 opens with focus on leadership and innovation

Tokyo: The Continent’s football leaders came together in Tokyo today for the fourth edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) Presidents’ and General Secretaries’ Conference 2026.

Staged in Japan for the first time, the flagship event serves as a key platform for the AFC’s members to enhance leadership capabilities, strengthen governance standards and share best practices for the continued advancement of Asian football.

Uzbekistan football’s global ascent and infrastructure progress lauded by AFC President

Sun, 18 Oct, 2026

Uzbekistan football’s global ascent and infrastructure progress lauded by AFC President

Tashkent: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa concluded an official visit to the Republic of Uzbekistan on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the bilateral sporting relations between the continental governing body and the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA).

The high-level delegation engaged in comprehensive bilateral discussions with the President of the UFA Bahodir Nizomovich Qurbonov and senior officials of the Uzbek football family in attendance at the National Football Centre, reinforcing the strategic alliance and the collaborative framework governing football development within the country.

#ChallengeLeague set for Group Stage thrillers

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

#ChallengeLeague set for Group Stage thrillers

Kuala Lumpur: A brand-new season in the AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) gets underway this weekend with the opening matchday of the 2026/27 campaign.

The 13th edition of Asia’s third-tier men’s club competition—known as the AFC President’s Cup for the first 10—features 19 contenders vying for Continental glory.

AFC Awards Bangkok 2026 nominees announced

Fri, 16 Oct, 2026

AFC Awards Bangkok 2026 nominees announced

Kuala Lumpur: A glittering list of nominees was revealed today by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the AFC Awards Bangkok 2026, which is slated to take place on November 19 (Thursday).

The 30th edition of the star-studded ceremony will be staged in Thailand for a second time since its capital city first played host in 2017, with the intricate Aksra Theatre King Power to serve as the venue once again.

AFC President backs Asia’s powerhouses to secure historic success

Thu, 15 Oct, 2026

AFC President backs Asia’s powerhouses to secure historic success

Kuala Lumpur: Heading into the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Morocco 2026 as the undisputed standard-bearers of women’s youth football, Asia’s elite quartet have been urged by AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa to uphold the Continent's storied legacy at the global showpiece.

Having remarkably conquered six of the previous nine iterations of the Under-17 showcase, the AFC’s formidable four-nation contingent—comprising debutants Australia, China PR, defending champions DPR Korea, and Japan—will spearhead the charge from October 17 to November 7.

Kuwait FA earns AFC Grassroots Charter silver membership

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Kuwait FA earns AFC Grassroots Charter silver membership

Kuwait City: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has recognised the Kuwait Football Association (KFA)’s efforts to enhance its grassroots football landscape with a Silver-level membership under the AFC Grassroots Charter.

A Bronze member since September 2019, the KFA is now the 13th MA to hold Silver status following this upgrade.

AFC Coach Educators Club set to bolster development of Asian coaches

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

AFC Coach Educators Club set to bolster development of Asian coaches

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) marked yet another milestone in its quest to make football the number one sport on the Continent with the launch of the AFC Coach Educators Club on Thursday.

Introduced via videoconference, the initiative—first mentioned in March’s AFC Coach Education Panel meeting—will seek to guide AFC Member Associations (MAs) in realising the potential of aspiring coaches through progressive coach education, while supporting frontline technicians in their continuous professional development.

AFC Referee Academy strengthens next generation of match officials

Fri, 09 Oct, 2026

AFC Referee Academy strengthens next generation of match officials

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referee Academy underlined its commitment to developing officials of the highest capability when it conducted a series of on-site modules for Batches 6, 7 and 8 from September 21 to October 9.

While Batches 6 and 7 entered into their fourth and third on-site modules, respectively, Batch 8 marked their first-ever on-site module.

New AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme graduates ready to make mark

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

New AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme graduates ready to make mark

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today celebrated the second graduating batch of its AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme (AEWFP) in the latest milestone for the advancement of female leadership on the Continent.

Taking place over six months, the online initiative equipped the 30 graduates with pertinent information and practical insights to better navigate the global football environment, promote gender diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as lay out ethical, strategic and collaborative approaches that aim to overcome industry-related barriers.

AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ Technical Report now available

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ Technical Report now available

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Women’s Champions League 2025/26™ Technical Report is now accessible on the-AFC.com, offering readers a comprehensive overview of Asia’s premier women’s club competition.

The second edition featured a record 25 clubs, four more than the previous season, and culminated in DPR Korea’s Naegohyang Women’s FC lifting the trophy after a 1-0 victory over Japan’s Tokyo Verdy Beleza in the Final in Suwon, Korea Republic.

AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Technical Report now available

Thu, 08 Oct, 2026

AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Technical Report now available

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Technical Report is now available on the-AFC.com, offering an in-depth review of a campaign that showcased the evolving standards of Asia’s premier club competition.

Marking the second edition of the revamped format, Al Ahli Saudi FC were crowned champions following a 1-0 extra-time victory against Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, becoming only the second team after Al Ittihad Club to successfully defend the title.

Alrajhi Bank named Official Global Supporter of AFC Club Competitions

Wed, 07 Oct, 2026

Alrajhi Bank named Official Global Supporter of AFC Club Competitions

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced Alrajhi Bank as an Official Global Supporter of the AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Champions League Two™ and AFC Women's Champions League™, covering the 2026–2029 cycle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The partnership builds on Alrajhi Bank's existing association as an Official Regional Partner of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Across the 2026–2029 cycle, Alrajhi Bank will deliver a series of fan engagement activations for supporters in Saudi Arabia. These initiatives include the Official Coin Toss, a Player Escort Kids programme, exclusive stadium experiences and digital activations at selected matches, which aims to bring fans closer to the action at every stage of the competition. Together, these initiatives reflect Alrajhi Bank’s commitment to ensuring  fans are at the centre of Asian club football's biggest moments, season after season.