AFC News

AFC President's message on AFC Women's Football Day 2025

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

AFC President's message on AFC Women's Football Day 2025

Kuala Lumpur: It has now been ten years since we first celebrated the AFC Women’s Football Day, and a decade later, our determination to further develop the women’s game in Asia has only grown stronger.

March 8 – International Women’s Day – is the perfect occasion to reflect on the unwavering commitment and dedication showcased by our Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) to women’s football over the years.

AFC Women’s Football Day 2025 returns for 11th edition

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

AFC Women’s Football Day 2025 returns for 11th edition

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and its Member Associations (MAs) are set to commemorate the 11th AFC Women’s Football Day with a series of activities aimed at promoting and recognising the continued progress of the women’s game in Asia.

Taking place in conjunction with International Women’s Day, the Confederation’s annual celebration is set to be observed by almost 24,000 participants from 40 MAs.

AFC Coach Education Panel Meeting focuses on enhancing development pathways

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

AFC Coach Education Panel Meeting focuses on enhancing development pathways

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) reaffirmed its commitment to maximising the potential of its Member Associations (MAs) when it conducted the AFC Coach Education Panel Meeting on Thursday.

Taking place virtually, the panel meeting saw technical experts from across Asia convene to discuss strategies for advancing coach education and technical development on the Continent.

Keeta partners with the AFC for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

Keeta partners with the AFC for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today announced a new partnership with global delivery service, Keeta, for the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26. Keeta will become an Official Global Supporter of the thrilling qualifying competition, which resumes with Matchday Seven on March 20, 2025.

A global leader in delivery services within China PR, Keeta has quickly expanded in recent years to include even more Asian markets such as Hong Kong, China and Saudi Arabia. Through this partnership with the AFC, Keeta will seek to bolster the reach of their platforms by engaging millions of passionate fans of Asian football across the world.

Barbican announced as Regional Partner of the AFC’s club competitions

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

Barbican announced as Regional Partner of the AFC’s club competitions

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced Barbican – the popular beverage brand – as a regional partner of the AFC’s top club competitions, which include the AFC Champions League Elite™, the AFC Women’s Champions League™, and the AFC Champions League Two™ in select West Asian markets for the current season (2024-2025).

Barbican is one of the top non-alcoholic malt beverage producers in Asia, with extensive reach and popularity across several markets in the Continent, particularly in West Asia. Through this partnership, Barbican will aim to build a closer relationship with football fans and expand its consumer base in key markets within the West Asian region.

AFC Dream Asia Foundation strengthens Guam FA’s recovery efforts

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

AFC Dream Asia Foundation strengthens Guam FA’s recovery efforts

Hagatna: The AFC Dream Asia Foundation (ADAF) underlined its overarching motto of “Football Cares” by providing unwavering support to the Guam Football Association (GFA) in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Mawar, which struck the island in May 2023.

Following the destruction left by the storm, GFA suffered significant damage not only to its headquarters in the capital but also to its National Training Center, leading to the disruption of several football activities, including the suspension of domestic leagues, national teams’ training, grassroots initiatives, and other developmental programmes.

Shaikh Salman praises Australia on clinching maiden Continental crown

Sun, 02 Mar, 2025

Shaikh Salman praises Australia on clinching maiden Continental crown

Kuala Lumpur: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Australia on securing their first-ever AFC U20 Asian Cup™ title after defeating three-time winners Saudi Arabia on penalties in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Final at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium in Shenzhen on Saturday.

With the final ending 1-1 after 120 minutes, goalkeeper Steven Hall was the star after saving Bassam Hazazi’s spot-kick as Australia defeated Saudi Arabia 5-4 on penalties.

#ChallengeLeague contenders eye Knockout Stage success

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

#ChallengeLeague contenders eye Knockout Stage success

Kuala Lumpur: The journey continues for the eight remaining teams in the AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 on Wednesday, March 5 when the Knockout Stage kicks off.

Having battled past 10 other sides to come through the Group Stage, they will contest their first-leg ties of the Quarter-finals in the quest for glory in the new third-tier Continental men’s competition.

Saudi Arabia lead AFC Men’s Club Competitions Mid-Season Ranking 2024/25

Wed, 26 Feb, 2025

Saudi Arabia lead AFC Men’s Club Competitions Mid-Season Ranking 2024/25

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) today released the AFC Men’s Club Competitions Mid-Season Ranking 2024/25, with Saudi Arabia continuing to lead the way.

With a total of 109.054 points to their name, the chart-toppers are followed by Japan and Korea Republic in second and third place respectively.

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule revealed

Wed, 26 Feb, 2025

AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match schedule revealed

Kuala Lumpur: With just over a year to go until the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ kicks off, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) have unveiled the official match schedule of Asia’s premier women’s national team competition. 

Scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21, 2026, the Continental showpiece will see 12 teams in action across three vibrant host cities –  Sydney, Perth and Gold Coast, each featuring spectacular venues, including those used to host matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.

SAFF’s ‘Kick Off’ series champions child safeguarding in South Asia

Tue, 25 Feb, 2025

SAFF’s ‘Kick Off’ series champions child safeguarding in South Asia

Dhaka: The South Asian Football Federation (SAFF), in collaboration with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s Dream Asia Foundation, recently launched a 2D animated series, Kick Off, to educate young footballers in South Asia on child safeguarding issues.

Launched in January, the five-part series targets players aged between 11 and 17, and addresses key topics such as physical safety, mental well-being, child abuse prevention, online safety, and inclusivity.

AFC Professional Football Committee approves key decisions to raise Asian club football

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

AFC Professional Football Committee approves key decisions to raise Asian club football

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s commitment towards strengthening the professional standards of the Continental club game was further reinforced today after the AFC Professional Football Committee concluded its first meeting held virtually.

Led by Chairperson Park Ji-sung, the Committee approved several amendments to the AFC Club Competitions – Entry Regulations (Edition 2023), which will take effect from the 2025/26 season with a focus on Article 3. Slot Allocation, Article 6. Club Licensing Criteria and Article 8. Integrity of AFC Club Competitions.