March 16 – The Asian Football Confederation is launching a new academy collaboration platform, aiming at deepen cooperation between professional clubs and national federations across the region.
Announced during the first AFC Youth Panel Meeting of the 2026-2027 cycle last week, the governing body confirmed plans for the AFC Youth Academy Network.
The AFC said that the network will operate on an invitation-only basis, with academies selected in consultation with their respective Member Associations. A maximum of two academies per association will be admitted, with participants taking part in technical sessions, workshops and exchanges organised by the AFC.
The initiative is intended to strengthen links between elite club academies and national youth teams while supporting the ongoing rollout of the AFC Elite Youth Scheme, the confederation’s framework for raising standards in youth development.
Andy Roxburgh, who chaired the virtual meeting, underlined the importance of specialist youth coaching as the backbone of any successful development system.
“It takes talent to develop talent,” Roxburgh said.
“It is one of the reasons why the AFC Coaching Convention includes two youth diplomas with specialist training for youth coaches at A Level and B Level; it is really a specialist art, whether you are working at an academy or national youth team, and it is a fantastic place to work in.
“Again, it is a key principle for us to try and get the best youth coaching talent we can, to deal with our talented young players.”
The AFC said that panel members also received updates on the progress of the Elite Youth Scheme, which currently includes 28 endorsed Member Associations – eight operating at the highest three-star level, seven at two-star and 13 at one-star. A further 11 associations and academies are awaiting evaluation within the programme.
First launched in 2017, the scheme recognises and supports national federations for their work in developing elite youth structures. The AFC confirmed that updated regulations for the programme are now being drafted, with a revised framework expected to be issued by May 2027.
Discussions during the meeting also touched on a range of development challenges facing youth systems across Asia: notably the transition from Under-20 football to the professional game, talent identification, infrastructure and competitive balance. The potential role of artificial intelligence in youth development – and the need for guidelines governing its use – was also raised as a point of discussion.
A series of online technical sessions, regional summits and the fifth AFC Youth Conference were also scheduled for the coming year as the confederation continues to build out what it sees as the foundations of the Asian game’s next generation.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected].
