THE PRESIDENT - LATEST NEWS

Japan’s historic triumph applauded by Shaikh Salman

Sun, 25 Jan, 2026

Japan’s historic triumph applauded by Shaikh Salman

Jeddah: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated Japan for securing a record-extending third AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title after the young Samurai Blue defeated China PR 4-0 in a riveting final at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday.

Kosei Ogura’s brace and a goal apiece from Yuto Ozeki and Ryunosuke Sato sealed Japan's victory, making them the first team to defend the title and lift the coveted trophy for a third time.

Shaikh Salman commends Jordan’s success in best-ever FIFA Arab Cup

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

Shaikh Salman commends Jordan’s success in best-ever FIFA Arab Cup

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has commended Jordan on their runners-up finish at the FIFA Arab Cup after the Al Nashama were narrowly defeated 3-2 by Morocco after extra time in a riveting final at the Lusail Stadium on Thursday.

Asia’s dominance was underlined at the multi-continental showpiece with six AFC teams reaching the quarter-final stage – two more than the previous edition, whilst four Asian sides – Bahrain, Iraq, Palestine and Saudi Arabia – also claimed their maiden triumphs since the tournament transitioned to the FIFA Arab Cup in 2021. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates finished joint-third.

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).

Shaikh Salman: Asia is ready to make global futsal history

Mon, 10 Nov, 2025

Shaikh Salman: Asia is ready to make global futsal history

Kuala Lumpur: With the Philippines set to stage their first-ever FIFA tournament, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has rallied the AFC’s representatives to showcase their undeniable talent whilst underlining his confidence in the Local Organising Committee to deliver an exceptional inaugural edition of the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.

Set to take place from November 21 to December 7, 2025, the showpiece will feature 16 of the world’s top women’s futsal national teams competing for ultimate glory. Leading the Continent’s march are AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 champions Japan, first-time finalists Thailand and third-placed finishers the Islamic Republic of Iran—all ranked in the top 10 globally—along with hosts, the Philippines, with all matches to be played at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila.

DPR Korea’s global dominance lauded by AFC President

Sun, 09 Nov, 2025

DPR Korea’s global dominance lauded by AFC President

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has hailed the remarkable achievement of DPR Korea after the East Asians defeated the Netherlands 3-0 to clinch a record-extending fourth FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup title at the Olympic Stadium of Rabat in Morocco on Saturday.

The exceptional triumph marked a historic first for DPR Korea, as Pak Song Jin’s charges became the first Asian side to successfully defend their crown on the global stage following a similar title-winning run in the Dominican Republic last year. With a total of 25 goals scored—a single-edition record —and just three conceded, the East Asian side’s performance at the ninth edition of the tournament will take its place as one of the most dominant in history. Astonishingly, all four triumphs were achieved in unbeaten fashion.

AFC President reaffirms commitment towards Pakistan FF

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

AFC President reaffirms commitment towards Pakistan FF

Islamabad: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), underlined his steadfast support towards the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) following the conclusion of his four-day visit to the country on Friday.

The AFC President congratulated PFF President Syed Mohsen Gilani on his successful election to the high-level post in May this year, which was the Federation’s first presidential election since 2015, following the 2019 appointment of a Normalisation Committee, and outlined his confidence for a new era of progress for football development in Pakistan.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/about_afc/the_president.html/photo/afc-president-visits-oman

Oman FA’s efforts to raise football standards lauded by Shaikh Salman

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Oman FA’s efforts to raise football standards lauded by Shaikh Salman

Muscat: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa held several high-level discussions with the Oman leadership during his visit to the Sultanate, which concluded on Tuesday.

Shaikh Salman, who congratulated OFA President Al-Sayyid Sulaiman on being successfully elected as Chairman of the OFA Board of Directors for the 2025–2029 term in June this year, praised the Sultanate’s whole-of-government approach towards driving football development, underlined by the consistent form of its teams and players on the Continental stage.

Shaikh Salman offers condolences on passing of former AFC Acting President Kambiz Atabai

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Shaikh Salman offers condolences on passing of former AFC Acting President Kambiz Atabai

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and the entire Asian football family have expressed their deepest condolences on the passing of former Acting President of the AFC, Kambiz Atabai, who died on Monday.

Atabai was the President of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) from 1972 to 1978 and led the Federation to one of its most successful eras in history as Team Melli clinched the AFC Asian Cup™ crown for a third consecutive time in 1976, which remains a record to this day.

AFC President discusses Asian football development with Chinese Sports Minister H.E. Gao Zhidan

Sat, 01 Nov, 2025

AFC President discusses Asian football development with Chinese Sports Minister H.E. Gao Zhidan

Manama: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, today received His Excellency Gao Zhidan, Minister of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee of the People’s Republic of China, in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Welcoming H.E. Gao Zhidan, the AFC President praised the deep-rooted relations between the AFC and the Chinese sports authorities, including the Chinese Football Association (CFA). He commended the significant efforts made by the Chinese government to develop football at all levels, including its continued support for the CFA and its extensive investments in infrastructure and youth talent.

Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Qatar and Asian contenders

Tue, 28 Oct, 2025

Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Qatar and Asian contenders

Kuala Lumpur: With the newly expanded 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 set to mark a new era for youth football, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has conveyed his best wishes to the host nation and Asia’s representatives ahead of Monday’s kick-off in Al Rayyan.

A record nine teams – AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 quarter-finalists Japan, Indonesia, Tajikistan and the United Arab Emirates, semi-finalists DPR Korea and Korea Republic, finalist Saudi Arabia and eventual champions Uzbekistan as well as host nation for the next five editions, Qatar – will look to capture a second title for the Continent in the 20th iteration of the global showpiece.