LATEST NEWS - AIFF

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 1

Fri, 17 Jul, 2026

AFC Grassroots Day 2026 unites Asia’s football communities – Part 1

Kuala Lumpur: The 13th Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Grassroots Day brought communities together across the Continent as 45 Member Associations (MAs) celebrated the beautiful game and engaged thousands of participants in a showcase of football's power to inspire, connect and include.

Held annually on May 23, this year's events once again coincided with FIFA's World Football Week, reinforcing the AFC's support for the United Nations' Football for the Goals initiative and its shared commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through football.
 
Join us at the-AFC.com for the first in a series that highlights how MAs embraced the AFC Grassroots Day 2026 with creativity and enthusiasm.

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Thu, 16 Jul, 2026

#U17WAC - Stage set for China 2027 Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ China 2027 is all set for take off following the conclusion of the Qualifiers Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 30 teams - two more than the previous record of 28 from the 2019 Qualifiers - were divided into eight groups - six of four and two of three - to contest a single round-robin centralised league from October 5 to 11.

Each group winner will advance to the Finals, joining the quartet of teams that have qualified directly as the top four finishers from the 2026 campaign: defending champions DPR Korea, runners-up Japan, and semi-finalists Australia and China PR.

India see off Bangladesh to lift sixth title

Sat, 06 Jun, 2026

India see off Bangladesh to lift sixth title

Mergoa: India turned on the power to defeat defending champions Bangladesh 3-1 in the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 final on Saturday.

Ritu Porna Chakma cancelled out Pyari Xaxa’s first-half opener before India regained control in the second half with goals from Sanfida Nongrum and Lynda Kom to seal the win.

Bangladesh, India in title showdown

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Bangladesh, India in title showdown

Goa:  Bangladesh and India will square off for the SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 title after edging their respective semi-final opponents on Wednesday.

Sanfida Nongrum’s second half strike steered five-time winners India to a 1-0 win over Bhutan while Mosammat Sagorika came off the bench to send defending champions Bangladesh through to their third consecutive final with a stoppage time strike.

Nepal book spot in style; India turn on the power

Mon, 01 Jun, 2026

Nepal book spot in style; India turn on the power

Goa: Nepal topped Group A of the SAFF Women's Championship 2026 with a 2-0 win against Sri Lanka on Sunday, with the victory also confirming Bhutan's progression to the knockout stage.

India defeated defending champions Bangladesh 3-0 to take the Group B pole, with both sides advancing.

#AFCU20 China 2027 - Stage set for Qualifiers

Thu, 28 May, 2026

#AFCU20 China 2027 - Stage set for Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers are set to be a scintillating affair following the Official Draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

To be staged between August 25 and September 6, 2026 in a centralised league system, these Qualifiers will feature the implementation of a new format as part of key reforms to the AFC’s youth competitions that were ratified earlier this year.

Designed to ensure more meaningful matches and opportunities for teams to compete against opponents of similar technical competency, a two-phase system featuring a promotion and relegation mechanism has been introduced.

Winning starts for India, Nepal

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Winning starts for India, Nepal

Margoa: Aveka Singh produced a sparkling performance as India cruised 11-0 past Maldives to kick off their SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 Group B campaign in style on Monday.

Earlier in the day, Nepal opened the tournament with a 1-0 win against Bhutan in a Group A encounter.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Arkadag march on; East Bengal claim maiden ISL title

Mon, 25 May, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Arkadag march on; East Bengal claim maiden ISL title

Arkadag: Defending champions FK Arkadag continued their relentless march towards their fourth consecutive Yokary Liga title with two high-scoring outings. 

East Bengal clinched the Indian Super League in a thrilling final-day encounter to deny Mohun Bagan Super Giant while Bashundhara Kings concluded their season with three titles in Bangladesh, so join the-AFC.com as we look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

Central & South Asia Wrap: United, Istiklol & Arkadag in fine form; Bashundhara claim title

Mon, 18 May, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: United, Istiklol & Arkadag in fine form; Bashundhara claim title

Bishkek: Muras United, FC Istiklol and FK Arkadag continued to shine in the Kyrgyz Premier League, Tajik League and Yokary Liga respectively as they maintained their unbeaten streaks.

Bashundhara Kings claimed the Bangladesh Football Premier League with a match to spare while the race for the Indian Super League title will go down the wire, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

#U17WAC - Q-final: China PR 3-0 India

Tue, 12 May, 2026

#U17WAC - Q-final: China PR 3-0 India

Suzhou: China PR were in control from the start as they advanced to AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ semi-finals with a 3-0 win against India in their last eight tie on Monday.

China PR, who confirmed their ticket to the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 with the win, will face defending champions DPR Korea in the semi-finals on Thursday. 

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issyk-Kul in second stumble

Mon, 11 May, 2026

Central & South Asia Wrap: Issyk-Kul in second stumble

Bishkek: FC Bars Issyk-Kul sustained another loss in Kyrgyz Republic after going six matches undefeated, with the defending champions falling to three-time winners FC Abdysh-Ata.

There were mixed fortunes for Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Mohammedan SC in India and Bangladesh respectively, so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across Central and South Asia.

#AFCU17 - Group D: India 0-3 Uzbekistan

Mon, 11 May, 2026

#AFCU17 - Group D: India 0-3 Uzbekistan

Jeddah: Uzbekistan booked their AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ quarter-final spot with a 3-0 win against India in their Group D tie at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on Sunday.

The victory also meant FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 qualification for the defending champions, whose win meant Australia also advanced, with the sides to meet on Wednesday to decide the group winners.