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Fast-Breaking protocol to be introduced at #WAC2026

Fast-Breaking protocol to be introduced at #WAC2026

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation reaffirmed its commitment to player welfare and inclusivity with the implementation of a match protocol to facilitate the breaking of fast during Ramadan, which will be introduced at the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ for the first time.
This initiative will provide for short pauses in designated fixtures that coincide with the time of breaking the fast (i.e. Sunset time), allowing fasting players and officials to break their fast safely, while continuing to safeguard the integrity of the competition and ensure full compliance with the Laws of the Game.
The brief stoppage will be implemented at the next neutral and natural break in play, such as a goal kick, throw-in or free-kick in a non-promising area, ensuring minimal disruption to the flow of the match and that no active attacking situation is interrupted.
 
The pause will be strictly limited to the purpose of breaking the fast and will not be treated as a drink or cooling break, nor as a tactical time-out. Players and match officials observing the fast will take refreshment at the touchline, while the remaining players and match officials stay on the field.
 
According to the protocol, the Match officials will confirm with the teams prior to the match whether there are players who are fasting in their respective teams and inform the teams if any of the match officials are fasting. If no players and match officials are fasting, no action shall be taken.
 
Additionally, the protocol will be implemented across all applicable AFC club competitions during Ramadan.
 
The 21st edition of Asia’s premier women’s national team competition will kick off on Sunday, March 1, when hosts Australia take on the Philippines at the Perth Stadium, with the remainder of the matches to be staged across the host cities of Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney.

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