Youth Development - Latest News

AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Technical Report available now

Mon, 28 Sep, 2026

AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Technical Report available now

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Technical Report is now available on the-AFC.com, offering an in-depth look back at all the key moments from the tournament’s 21st edition.

Held from May 5 to 22, the competition saw Japan clinch their record fifth title in an unforgettable Final against China PR, with the young Samurai Blue leading the cast of the eight Asian teams who will feature in the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

AFC Youth Panel meeting advances plans for youth development

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

AFC Youth Panel meeting advances plans for youth development

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Youth Panel Meeting for the 2026-27 term took place on Tuesday to explore avenues to turn the potential of youth footballers in Asia into sustained and professional progress.

Chaired by AFC Technical Director Andy Roxburgh, the high-level platform follows the recent AFC Grassroots Panel and AFC Coach Education Panel meetings, which took place earlier this month.

AFC Elite Youth Scheme adds Chinese Football Association to three-star membership

Thu, 09 Jul, 2026

AFC Elite Youth Scheme adds Chinese Football Association to three-star membership

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the Chinese Football Association (CFA) as the latest three-star member of its acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme.

Endorsed at two-star status in October 2024, the CFA received the upgrade to the highest category following a comprehensive evaluation last month, which also awarded three-star membership to the Shandong Luneng Taishan Football School, Shanghai Shenhua FC Academy and Zhejiang FC Academy – making them the first club academies in China PR to reach this tier.

HKFA receives AFC Elite Youth Scheme One-Star renewal

Wed, 01 Jul, 2026

HKFA receives AFC Elite Youth Scheme One-Star renewal

Kuala Lumpur: The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA)'s One-Star membership under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Elite Youth Scheme was renewed in recognition of its continued commitment to enhancing its elite youth development programme.

The renewal was also extended to Hong Kong Football Club Academy and Lee Man Football Club Academy, in acknowledgment of the continued progress both institutions have made in nurturing young talent and strengthening the player pathway in Hong Kong, China.

AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia™ Technical Report available now

Tue, 09 Jun, 2026

AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia™ Technical Report available now

Kuala Lumpur: The technical report for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ is now available on the-AFC.com, capturing the key highlights from the seventh and final non-Olympic edition of the competition.

Taking place across the host cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, the 2026 iteration saw Japan clinch their third title after beating China PR in the Final.

AFC Elite Youth Scheme renews Japan FA’s three-star membership

Fri, 05 Jun, 2026

AFC Elite Youth Scheme renews Japan FA’s three-star membership

Tokyo: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has renewed the Japan Football Association (JFA)’s three-star membership under the acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme, recognising the nation’s continuous enhancement of its youth development landscape.

Alongside the JFA, a three-star renewal was also recommended for the JFA Academy Fukushima, while FC Imabari Academy became the first professional J.League club academy to achieve a three-star endorsement.

Focus on #U17AC at AFC Youth Online Session 2026

Thu, 04 Jun, 2026

Focus on #U17AC at AFC Youth Online Session 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) conducted the AFC Youth Online Session 2026 on Wednesday, marking the start of a series of virtual sessions aimed at analysing the performances of national teams and clubs in recent AFC competitions.

Attended by representatives from across the Continent, the event primarily focused on the emerging trends identified at the recently concluded AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ as part of efforts to better prepare Asia’s representatives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November.

Korea Republic’s three-star status renewed under AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Mon, 04 May, 2026

Korea Republic’s three-star status renewed under AFC Elite Youth Scheme

Jeonju: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reaffirmed its confidence in the Korea Football Association (KFA)’s continuous efforts to enhance its youth development landscape by renewing its status as a three-star member of the acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme.

Along with the KFA, the renowned Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC Academy was also endorsed with a three-star membership.

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.

Youth development to be boosted by new AFC academy network

Fri, 13 Mar, 2026

Youth development to be boosted by new AFC academy network

Kuala Lumpur: In a move that underlines its dedication to elevating youth development systems across the Continent, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is set to implement a new initiative to further bolster collaboration among youth academies.

Announced during the 1st AFC Youth Panel Meeting for the 2026–2027 term on Thursday, the AFC Youth Academy Network intends to bring together youth academy directors from well-established professional clubs in Asia with the aim of stimulating more dialogue between AFC and the clubs’ elite-youth departments, increasing promotion and development of the AFC’s Elite Youth Scheme, and fostering deeper cooperation between national youth teams and the clubs.

FFC’s youth development drive recognised with AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star membership

Fri, 23 Jan, 2026

FFC’s youth development drive recognised with AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star membership

Phnom Penh: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has welcomed the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) as the latest one-star member under the acclaimed AFC Elite Youth Scheme.

The endorsement followed an on-site assessment by AFC Youth Panel members, who were pleased to note the Federation’s commitment to the long-term improvement of its youth football landscape.

Lebanese FA’s vision for youth development earns AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star renewal

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Lebanese FA’s vision for youth development earns AFC Elite Youth Scheme one-star renewal

Beirut: The Lebanese Football Association (LFA)’s continuous efforts to elevate youth football programmes have been recognised with the renewal of its status as a one-star member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s acclaimed Elite Youth Scheme.

Alongside the LFA, Athletico Football Club Academy also secured a one-star renewal, while Beirut Football Academy and Safa Football Club Academy became the latest clubs to be bestowed with one-star membership, following a virtual inspection conducted by AFC Youth Panel members on December 10, 2025.