AFC News

Landmark expansion of AFC Champions League Elite™ from 2026/27 season recommended

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Landmark expansion of AFC Champions League Elite™ from 2026/27 season recommended

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competitions Committee has recommended a series of strategic enhancements to the Continent’s premier club competition, the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite), headlined by a move to a 32-team format beginning in the 2026/27 season. 

The reforms underscore the AFC’s commitment to further promote inclusivity and excellence across the Continent whilst introducing a more rigorous qualification pathway to the Knockout Stage.

Asian officials ready to shine at FIFA World Cup 2026

Sat, 11 Apr, 2026

Asian officials ready to shine at FIFA World Cup 2026

Kuala Lumpur: A total of 25 Asian match officials have been appointed for the FIFA World Cup 2026 – six more than in the 2022 edition of the global showpiece.

In a landmark achievement for the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) sterling efforts in developing elite refereeing talent, the upcoming tournament will mark the first-ever appointment of an AFC Referee Academy graduate in Abdullah Alshehri, who was selected as a Video Match Official (VMO).

MAs celebrate AFC Women’s Football Day 2026 – Part 1

Wed, 08 Apr, 2026

MAs celebrate AFC Women’s Football Day 2026 – Part 1

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) observed the 12th edition of the AFC Women’s Football Day with a record-breaking 42 Member Associations (MAs) commemorating the annual occasion.

Join us at the-AFC.com as we highlight the incredible efforts displayed in recognition of the remarkable strides made by the AFC’s MAs in advancing the women’s game in Asia, while also encouraging more young girls and women to experience the power of the beautiful game.

ACFAM brings hybrid programme to Turkmenistan

Tue, 07 Apr, 2026

ACFAM brings hybrid programme to Turkmenistan

Ashgabat: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) launched the latest edition of the AFC Certificate in Football Administration and Management (ACFAM) in a hybrid format in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, on Tuesday, marking yet another step forward in enhancing the capabilities of its Member Associations (MAs).

Following successful iterations of the hybrid system in the Kyrgyz Republic and Indonesia, the Turkmenistan leg of the programme will comprise 29 participants from the Football Federation of Turkmenistan (FFT), as well as clubs and regional stakeholders, over five months.

Lao FF latest addition to AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Mon, 06 Apr, 2026

Lao FF latest addition to AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Vientiane: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the Lao Football Federation (LFF) as the latest one-star member under its acclaimed Elite Youth Scheme.

Following an on site assessment from March 6 to 8, the AFC’s Youth Panel members were pleased with the LFF’s current youth development programme, which features several promising tenets, including an active youth league and talent identification initiatives.

Evolution of modern futsal roles in focus at #ACFutsal2026 review

Fri, 03 Apr, 2026

Evolution of modern futsal roles in focus at #ACFutsal2026 review

Kuala Lumpur: The Continent’s foremost futsal experts gathered on Thursday afternoon to reflect on the key learnings from the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™, two months on after its successful conclusion.

Led by the AFC’s Head of Futsal and Beach Soccer Development, Takahiro Komori, the latest entry of the AFC Football Development Online Session 2026 centred on the 18th edition of the tournament and featured Indonesia’s head coach Hector Souto as a special guest speaker.

Iraq praised by AFC President as 40-year wait ends

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Iraq praised by AFC President as 40-year wait ends

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his congratulations to Iraq following the national team’s hard-fought qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Lions of Mesopotamia officially punched their ticket to football’s grandest stage for the first time since their 1986 debut in Mexico after securing a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in the FIFA Playoff Tournament at the Monterrey Stadium on Tuesday.

Pioneering AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme to commence second edition

Thu, 02 Apr, 2026

Pioneering AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme to commence second edition

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s steadfast commitment towards advancing women’s leadership in the game continued today with the launch of the second edition of the AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme (AEWFP).

The six-month online initiative, which explores the far-reaching contributions of women in various roles across football, will enable its 33 participants to better understand the global football environment, promote gender diversity, equity and inclusion as well as lay out ethical, strategic and collaborative approaches that look to overcome industry-related barriers.

AFC President congratulates teams on sealing AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ berths

Wed, 01 Apr, 2026

AFC President congratulates teams on sealing AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ berths

Kuala Lumpur: Following a gripping series of matches in the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round on Tuesday, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has extended his heartfelt congratulations to the five nations that secured their places for the Continental showpiece, which will be held from January 7 to February 5 next year.

Tajikistan topped Group A on goal difference, whilst Thailand clinched pole position in Group D on the final matchday to join history-makers Singapore, Syria and Vietnam, who had previously confirmed their status in earlier rounds.

Update on AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round

Mon, 30 Mar, 2026

Update on AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group B match between Lebanon and Yemen, originally scheduled for March 31, 2026, has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 4, 2026.

This decision was made to ensure the safety and security of all stakeholders, taking into account the material constraints currently affecting the Lebanese Football Association in identifying a neutral venue and arranging necessary travel for the match.

AFC Medical Committee approves landmark guidelines on dental care

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

AFC Medical Committee approves landmark guidelines on dental care

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Medical Committee’s resolve to strengthen the professional care of Asian players was further underlined at its fifth meeting today with the approval of the breakthrough AFC Guidelines for Dental Health and On-field Management of Dental Emergencies.

The first comprehensive sports dentistry framework ever to be introduced in Asian football history, the living document, which will be regularly reviewed, updated and strengthened as new evidence emerges, is poised to set a new benchmark for player welfare by integrating oral health into mainstream football medical care.

Agenda of the 36th AFC Congress 2026 published

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Agenda of the 36th AFC Congress 2026 published

Kuala Lumpur: The agenda for the 36th AFC Congress 2026, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, April 28, in Vancouver, Canada, has been confirmed and can be accessed here.