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Haruna Takata: We’re excited and ready for the AFC Women’s Champions League™

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024

Haruna Takata: We’re excited and ready for the AFC Women’s Champions League™

Kuala Lumpur: With the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Champions League™ set to kick off next month, the-AFC.com highlights the inspiring journey of Haruna Takata, Chairperson of Japan’s WE League, one of the fastest-growing leagues on the Continent.

As a key figure in the WE League, Takata has become a driving force in women's football in the island nation and has dedicated herself to elevating the women’s game both domestically and internationally.

AFC-FFTG Workshop reaffirms commitment to sustainability

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

AFC-FFTG Workshop reaffirms commitment to sustainability

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in collaboration with the United Nations’ (UN) Football For the Goals initiative (FFTG), organised the AFC-FFTG Workshop from July 23 to 24, 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, further underlining the Confederation’s determination to harness the power of football to drive social change.

The landmark event aimed to chart a clear path for the AFC, which became an FFTG member in October 2022, to capitalise on the opportunities presented through its involvement in the initiative, becoming a leading force in sustainability transformation within the global football community.

AFC Referees Committee enhances criteria of breakthrough AFC Referee Academy

Tue, 23 Jul, 2024

AFC Referees Committee enhances criteria of breakthrough AFC Referee Academy

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Referees Committee today approved several decisions aimed at strengthening the quality of Asia’s thriving match officials at its second meeting held virtually, further reiterating its desire to ensure the AFC remains at the forefront of world refereeing.

At the outset, Chairperson Hany Taleb B S Al-Raeesi acknowledged the consistent rise of Asian refereeing in the global context, noting the continued appointment of the Continent’s match officials on the world’s biggest stages.

Exquisite new trophy unveiled for landmark #AWCL

Thu, 18 Jul, 2024

Exquisite new trophy unveiled for landmark #AWCL

Kuala Lumpur: The latest milestone in the evolution of women’s football in Asia was fittingly marked by the reveal of the stunning new AFC Women’s Champions League™ trophy on Thursday afternoon.

The exquisite silverware was unveiled at the official draw ceremony for the Preliminary Stage and Group Stage for the maiden 2024/25 season by AFC Women’s Football Committee Chairperson, Ms. Kanya Keomany, with Japanese icon Mana Iwabuchi in attendance.

Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Paris 2024-bound Asian teams and officials

Tue, 16 Jul, 2024

Shaikh Salman sends best wishes to Paris 2024-bound Asian teams and officials

Kuala Lumpur: As Asia’s contenders set their sights on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has conveyed his best wishes to the Continent’s teams and match officials ahead of their quest for glory.

History makers Uzbekistan will be the first Asian side to feature when they take on Group C opponents Spain at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, July 24. Two-time quarter-finalists at both the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the White Wolves will also battle Tokyo 2020 quarter-finalists Egypt on July 27 and fellow debutants the Dominican Republic on July 30.

#AWCL draw to mark battle lines for maiden season

Wed, 10 Jul, 2024

#AWCL draw to mark battle lines for maiden season

Kuala Lumpur: The Continent’s top women’s football clubs will discover their pathway to glory in the historic AFC Women’s Champions League™ 2024/25 season on Thursday, July 18 at the official draw ceremony for both the Preliminary Stage and Group Stage.

Set to take place at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) House in Kuala Lumpur at 3pm, 21 teams will be involved as they gear up for the landmark inaugural edition, which will commence in August.

AFC and NEOM announce global multi-year partnership extension

Wed, 10 Jul, 2024

AFC and NEOM announce global multi-year partnership extension

Kuala Lumpur: Following a successful four-year global sponsorship, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and NEOM have agreed to extend their partnership from 2024 to 2029.

NEOM will continue to serve as an Official Global Partner of the AFC’s national team and club competitions, while the agreement will also see NEOM become the Presenting Partner of both the newly unveiled AFC Champions League Elite™ Final Stage for the 2024/25 season – which features the Continent’s top eight sides competing in a centralised Knockout Stage format in Saudi Arabia from the Quarter-finals onwards – as well as the upcoming breakthrough AFC Women’s Champions League™ season.

AFC and Molten unveil Official Match Ball for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26

Tue, 25 Jun, 2024

AFC and Molten unveil Official Match Ball for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and global sports equipment manufacturer Molten, Official Global Partner of the AFC’s national team and club competitions, have unveiled today the Official Match Ball that will be used exclusively for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26, taking place from September 2, 2024 to November 18, 2025.

Molten will supply the “AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26” model of their 5th generation Vantaggio for the highly anticipated decisive stages of the Confederation’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which is set to feature the Continent’s top 18 national teams.

Road to 26 draw to reveal riveting battles for Asian contenders

Fri, 21 Jun, 2024

Road to 26 draw to reveal riveting battles for Asian contenders

·         18 teams to be divided into three groups of six
·         Matches from September 2024 to June 2025

Kuala Lumpur: Asia’s hopefuls for the FIFA World Cup 2026 will discover their opponents for the next stage of qualification at the FIFA World Cup 26™ Preliminary Draw – AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road To 26 on Thursday, June 27 at the Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur, Grand Ballroom, in Malaysia.

Maiden AFC Challenge League™ to spark new rivalries

Wed, 19 Jun, 2024

Maiden AFC Challenge League™ to spark new rivalries

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today confirmed the initial line-up of the first ever AFC Challenge League™ (ACGL) ahead of its kick-off next month.

Introduced as part of the revamped AFC Club Competitions structure, the new third-tier Continental men’s competition will bring together 18 aspiring teams to contend for glory.

Entries confirmed for AFC Champions League Two™ 2024-25

Wed, 19 Jun, 2024

Entries confirmed for AFC Champions League Two™ 2024-25

Kuala Lumpur: The pathway towards the inaugural AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) season was unveiled today by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), with 32 teams competing for top honours in the Continent’s brand-new second-tier men’s club competition.

In accordance with the finalised AFC Club Competitions 2024/25 slot allocations and club licensing requirements, 27 teams from across 21 Member Associations (MAs) – 12 from the West region and 15 from the East – qualify directly to the Group Stage, along with the three teams (two West, one East) that will be eliminated from the Preliminary Stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™.

AFC Champions League Elite™ unveils top-class lineup for inaugural season

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

AFC Champions League Elite™ unveils top-class lineup for inaugural season

Kuala Lumpur: The cream of the crop in Asia will come together for the maiden campaign of the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) this August when the prestigious competition kicks off.

The initial cast for the debut 2024/25 season was confirmed by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in accordance with the finalised AFC Club Competitions 2024/25 slot allocations that features 27 teams from across 12 Member Associations (MAs) – six from each of the West and East regions.