AFC News

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.

Shaikh Salman praises FA Thailand’s vision for football development

Sun, 22 Dec, 2024

Shaikh Salman praises FA Thailand’s vision for football development

Manama: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, welcomed Mrs Nualphan Lamsam, President of The Football Association of Thailand (FA Thailand), during her recent visit to Bahrain.

During their meeting, the AFC President lauded FA Thailand’s enduring contributions to football development, highlighting their significant achievements and respected position in Asian football. He reaffirmed the AFC’s dedication to advancing the sport across all levels and emphasised the pivotal role of collaboration with Member Associations (MAs) in achieving shared goals.

Participants gain valuable insights at AFC Coach Education Tutor’s Course 2024 (West)

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Participants gain valuable insights at AFC Coach Education Tutor’s Course 2024 (West)

Riyadh: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment to providing tailormade support to its Member Associations (MAs) reached yet another milestone with the conclusion of the AFC Coach Education Tutor’s Course 2024 on Friday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Taking place from December 9 to 13, the initiative was directed towards empowering coach educators in Asia with the necessary skills and knowledge to advance coach education programmes across the Confederation’s MAs.

AFC and Sportdigital extend media partnership

Mon, 16 Dec, 2024

AFC and Sportdigital extend media partnership

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC announced today the extension of its media partnership with Sportdigital, who will continue to be the Official Broadcaster for the AFC’s club and national team competitions in Germany, Austria and Switzerland for the 2025-2028 cycle.

The AFC’s standing partnership with Sportdigital for the 2021-2024 cycle included top national team competitions such as the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, AFC U23 Asian Cup™ 2022 and 2024, as well as selected youth and futsal competitions. Sportdigital has also been the home for the AFC’s new club competition, the AFC Champions League Two™ for the 2024/25 season.

AFC President hails Asian triumphs at FIFAe Finals 2024

Fri, 13 Dec, 2024

AFC President hails Asian triumphs at FIFAe Finals 2024

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the Asian trio of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia on their remarkable triumphs at the FIFAe Finals 2024, held from December 5 to December 12, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League, hosts Saudi Arabia showcased unmatched skills to defeat France in a fiercely contested final and emerge as the first-ever winners of the prestigious event.

AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ draw to set stage for Thailand 2025

Fri, 13 Dec, 2024

AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ draw to set stage for Thailand 2025

Kuala Lumpur: The contenders for the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ Thailand 2025 will discover their path to glory when the Final Draw ceremony takes place on Thursday, December 19 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Set to be hosted by Thailand for a third time, the 11th edition of the tournament will feature 16 teams in action at the Jomtien Beach in Pattaya from March 20 to 30, 2025.

Inaugural AFC Football eSports Forum sets sights on charting exciting future

Thu, 12 Dec, 2024

Inaugural AFC Football eSports Forum sets sights on charting exciting future

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment to strengthen its engagement with passionate audiences in the virtual realm reached a significant milestone on Tuesday with the conclusion of the first-ever AFC Football eSports Forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Building on the successful launch of the AFC eAsian Cup earlier this year alongside the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, the two-day forum brought together key stakeholders and eSports experts to explore ways to strengthen and expand the Football eSports ecosystem in Asia.

India hosts AFC President’s Travelling Fellow for Football Medicine for the first time

Thu, 12 Dec, 2024

India hosts AFC President’s Travelling Fellow for Football Medicine for the first time

Chennai: The final installment of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Travelling Fellow for Football Medicine (APTFFM) concluded in Chennai, India, on December 12, 2024.

Taking place at the Sri Ramachandra Centre for Sports Science (SRCSS), which was recognised as an AFC Medical Centre of Excellence in September 2019, the programme marked the first instance of the APTTFM being conducted in the subcontinent.

Shaikh Salman congratulates FIFA World Cup 2034 host Saudi Arabia

Thu, 12 Dec, 2024

Shaikh Salman congratulates FIFA World Cup 2034 host Saudi Arabia

Riyadh: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on being confirmed as the host of the FIFA World Cup 2034.

The FIFA Extraordinary Congress convened virtually earlier today and selected Saudi Arabia - the sole bidder for the 25th edition of the global showpiece – by acclamation.

AFC renews broadcast deal with Sport 24 until 2028

Wed, 11 Dec, 2024

AFC renews broadcast deal with Sport 24 until 2028

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the renewal of its media rights agreement with Sport 24, the dedicated live sports channel for the airline and cruise markets, through to 2028.

The partnership will see Sport 24 broadcast the AFC’s competitions on airlines and cruise ships around the world, including the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to 26™, the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, as well as the AFC Champions League Elite™ for the 2025/26, 2026/27, 2027/28 and 2028/29 seasons.

New programme to enhance safety and security in Asian football

Mon, 09 Dec, 2024

New programme to enhance safety and security in Asian football

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) underlined its commitment towards elevating the capabilities of its Member Associations (MAs) by collaborating with key global partners to develop the landmark Sport Safety and Security Training and Advanced Education Programme.

Launched virtually on Tuesday afternoon, the Programme is established by the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and the Centre International de Formation des Autorités et Leaders (CIFAL) from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), and is fully endorsed and supported by the AFC.