Media Releases - Latest News

#AFCU20 battles to light up China 2025

Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 battles to light up China 2025

Kuala Lumpur: Some of Asia’s brightest footballing talents will be on show starting from Wednesday, February 12 when the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 comes to life.

Sixteen teams have set their sights on ultimate glory at the tournament, which is being staged for the second time in China PR, after sealing qualification last September.

Knockout Stage showdowns to ignite #ACLTwo

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Knockout Stage showdowns to ignite #ACLTwo

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Two™ is set for a thrilling return to action next Tuesday when the contenders continue their quest for glory in the Knockout Stage.

Eight Round of 16 ties – four each in the West and East regions – await as the tournament resumes following the conclusion of the Group Stage in December, with the first legs to be played between February 11 and 13.

AFC and Visa expand partnership

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

AFC and Visa expand partnership

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and global leader in digital payments, Visa, have announced the renewal of their partnership to cover more regions and competitions in the upcoming season.

As part of the new deal, Visa will become the Official Global Supporter of the AFC’s key competitions, including the AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Women’s Champions League™, and AFC Champions League Two™ for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons, as well as the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26.

Battle lines to be drawn for #WACFutsal2025

Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

Battle lines to be drawn for #WACFutsal2025

Kuala Lumpur: The 12 contenders for the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 crown will discover their Group Stage fate on Thursday, February 6 when the Final Draw ceremony takes place at the Juva Grand Hotel in the host city of Hohhot at 3pm.

Nine teams emerged from the first ever Qualifiers – held last month – to progress to the Finals, where they will be joined by hosts China PR and 2018’s top two, Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan.

#AFCU17 draw to determine Saudi Arabia 2025 battles

Fri, 29 Nov, 2024

#AFCU17 draw to determine Saudi Arabia 2025 battles

Kuala Lumpur: The stage for the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2025 will be set on Thursday, January 23 when the Final Draw takes place at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Following the conclusion of the Qualifiers last October, 42 teams were whittled down to 15 that will go into the hat for the draw alongside hosts Saudi Arabia, who will stage the tournament for a second time after first doing so in 1992.

Landmark AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme to drive gender equity and inclusivity

Tue, 14 Jan, 2025

Landmark AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme to drive gender equity and inclusivity

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s resolute commitment towards advancing the pivotal role of women in football was reinforced today with the launch of the AFC Empowering Women in Football Programme (AEWFP), a pioneering online initiative that focuses on the diverse roles women play in shaping the football industry both on and off the pitch.

The six-month programme will equip participants with fundamental knowledge and skills to help them understand the global football ecosystem, promote gender equity and inclusion as well as identify and overcome industry barriers through ethical, strategic and diplomatic practices.

Two-year countdown: Dates for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ confirmed

Fri, 03 Jan, 2025

Two-year countdown: Dates for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The upcoming edition of Asia’s crown jewel – the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ – will take place from January 7 to February 5, 2027, across three cities – the Kingdom’s capital Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, marking the two-year countdown to the 19th edition of the Continent’s most prestigious men’s football tournament.

A total of five stadiums in Riyadh will host the Continent’s elite: the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, the King Saud University Stadium, Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, Kingdom Arena and the Al Shabab Stadium.

AFC renews partnership with MATCH Hospitality Asia for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™

Mon, 30 Dec, 2024

AFC renews partnership with MATCH Hospitality Asia for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced today the renewal of its partnership with MATCH Hospitality Asia as the exclusive provider of the commercial hospitality programme for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

The AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ will once again offer an opportunity for fans to enjoy an elevated match experience at Asia’s most prestigious men’s national team competition through MATCH Hospitality’s multi-tiered hospitality programme across Saudi Arabia.

Contenders ready for battle at #WACFutsal2025 Qualifiers

Mon, 06 Jan, 2025

Contenders ready for battle at #WACFutsal2025 Qualifiers

Kuala Lumpur: The quest to reach the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off this Saturday, January 11 when the Qualifiers get underway.

Nine berths at the third edition of the Continent’s premier women’s futsal national team tournament are on offer for the 18-strong cast, who have been split into four groups – two group of five teams and two groups of four.

#AWCL draw to set up Knockout Stage battles

Mon, 02 Dec, 2024

#AWCL draw to set up Knockout Stage battles

Kuala Lumpur: The inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League™ season will mark another milestone on Wednesday, January 8 when the official draw ceremony for the Knockout Stage takes place at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Eight teams are still standing in the 2024/25 campaign, which kicked off last August with the Preliminary Stage and subsequently concluded the Group Stage in October.

AFC ushers in 2025 with unveiling of new brand identity

Mon, 30 Dec, 2024

AFC ushers in 2025 with unveiling of new brand identity

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has heralded 2025 by signalling the start of a brand new era today with the unveiling of a new logo and identity to reflect and reinforce the continued trajectory of the Confederation’s progress and rising standards in the coming years.

This latest milestone marks the Confederation’s first logo evolution in more than 23 years and only the second time in history that the AFC corporate brand has transformed following the introduction of its ‘shield’ logo shortly after its formation in 1954, which was subsequently updated in 2001.

Sarila Maleku: Championing women’s football in Nepal

Thu, 26 Dec, 2024

Sarila Maleku: Championing women’s football in Nepal

Kuala Lumpur: In the final edition of “It’s My Game” in 2024, the-AFC.com traces the inspiring tale of AFC Women’s Football Committee Member and All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Executive Committee Member Sarila Maleku, a key pillar in the growing stature of women’s football in the South Asian nation.

Growing up in a football-loving community, it did not take long for her to set her sights on representing her country on the international stage. By the age of 15, her talent caught the attention of the then-national team coach, earning her a debut for Nepal in 1999 at the Continental level, where she represented the Gorkhali Chelis at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™, then known as the AFC Women’s Championship.