AFC draws groups for centralised qualifying round of U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026
April 28 – The qualifying group stage draw for the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 saw 33 teams divided into seven groups of four teams and one group of five.
May 1 – The severe consequences of corruption in Chinese football have been underscored as former national team head coach Li Tie has lost his appeal against a 20-year prison sentence for bribery offenses, Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday.
May 1 – Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale overcame Saudi Arabia’s star-studded Al Nassr with a 3-2 won at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium to secure a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite final on Saturday against Al Ahly.
It was a stunning display of counter-attack football by Frontale who withstood the attacking brilliance of Al Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Jhon Duran.
April 30 – In front of 50,613 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah the all-Saudi AFC Champions League Elite semi-final saw Al Ahli beat Al Hilal 3-1 to qualify for Saturday’s final against either Saudi Pro League rivals Al Nassr Club or Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.
Frontale only non-Saudi side in Champions League semis as Al Hilal, Al Ahil and Al Nassr dominate
April 28 – With Yasuto Wakizaka’s extra time goal, Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale knocked out Qatar’s Al Sadd SC 3-2 in their AFC Champions League Elite Finals in Jeddah and became the only non-Saudi Arabian Pro League club in the semi-finals.
Midea agrees global sponsorship across AFC’s club competitions
April 28 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has agreed a new global sponsorship with Midea, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of white goods, vacuum cleaners, and kitchen appliances.
Ronaldo on fire as Asian Champions League Elite last 8 gather in Saudi for final shoot-out
April 25 – The revamped Asian Champions League Elite has reached the quarter final stage with Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC kicking off against South Korea’s Gwangju FC tonight in the first of the single leg ties at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
Neom SC clinch promotion to Saudi Pro League with win over Al Arabi
April 24 – Following a 3-0 victory over rivals Al Arabi, Neom SC have clinched promotion to the Saudi Pro League – the professional top-flight of football in the country.
Paris Saint-Germain extend Visit Rwanda deal while penning new Novotel agreement
April 24 – Paris Saint-Germain, who recently lifted their 13th Ligue 1 title and are enjoying a successful campaign in the UEFA Champions League, have extended a lucrative sponsorship agreement with Visit Rwanda and added Novotel to their commercial portfolio.
Uzbekistan claim second AFC U17 title with Saudi Arabia win
April 22 – Uzbekistan clinched a second AFC U17 Asian Cup title on Sunday night in Taif, overcoming a two-man disadvantage to defeat host nation Saudi Arabia 2-0 in a pulsating final that underlined their rising stature in Asian youth football.
AFC calls on FIFA to speed up ruling on Palestine’s Israeli complaint, filed a year ago
April 16 – The Asian Football Confederation has again expressed unity in its support for the Palestine FA and called for FIFA to respond swiftly to the complaint against the Israeli FA (IFA) calling for it to be sanctioned with a suspension.
AFC goes deeper step into esports with launch of eChampions League Elite in Jeddah
April 16 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is accelerating its entry into the virtual football space with the official launch of the AFC eChampions League Elite (eACL Elite) this month in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – the brainchild of its first-ever Football eSports Forum in Kuala Lumpur in late 2024.
Singapore commits to 5-year plan to bring Europe’s elite clubs to island nation
April 16 – The Singapore Festival of Football is set for a long-term revival following the signing of a five-year partnership between TEG Sport and the Singapore Tourism Board. The pre-season event, which previously attracted strong crowds and top European clubs, will return this July with Arsenal, Newcastle United and AC Milan confirmed to take part.
Iraq sack Casas after “serious breach”
April 15 – Iraq have announced the sacking of manager Jesus Casas with just two games remaining in Asian qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
AFC takes its learning on the road with ACFAM hybrid format in Kyrgyz Republic
April 15 – The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is going mobile with its educational support and for the first time holding its AFC Certificate in Football Administration and Management (ACFAM) in a hybrid format in a member association country.
