The AFC investments reach 303 million dollars, an increase of 63.9%
The possibility of submitting hosting files to the Asian Cup 2031 and 2035 during one meeting
His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Association, renewed the first vice president of the International Football Association to confirm the commitment of the Asian Federation to support the national and regional federations, during the activities of the thirty -fifth general assembly of the Asian Football Association, which concluded its work on Saturday in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. The last general assembly, highlighting the increase in the volume of financial investments directed to the support of national and regional federations, in a year witnessed the organization of the best version in the history of the Asian Cup, hosted by Qatar, along with a record number of 16 continental championships, compared to only 11 championships in 2023. His Excellency the AFC president said: The reforms of our competitions, whether at the level of clubs for men or women, is one of the basic pillars of our aspirations as We drew it in the context of vision and mission, and I am pleased to confirm that the foundations on which we depend to achieve new levels of excellence in Asian football are today stronger than ever. He added: We are proud of what we have accomplished during this period, and the development has been achieved greatly due to the unity and solidarity of the Asian Football Family in supporting the march of reform, as well as supporting the AFC for its members at all levels. The meeting also witnessed the adoption of the AFC budget for the year 2025 and 2026, in addition to ratifying the valuable financial statements for the year 2024 and the report of the auditors, where the total investment expenses recorded a rise of 63.9% to reach 303 million US dollars in 2024. His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa confirmed: The Asian Football Association continues to consolidate its commitment to develop the game in the continent, by enhancing investment in programs Support specifically designed to meet the needs of national and regional federations, as well as a comprehensive package of development programs. And he added: We are living a promising period for Asian football, and the coming years represents an extension of our joint career, while we continue to strive to overcome expectations, achieve unprecedented levels of success, and consolidate the status of the AFC as one of the most prominent continental federations in the world. His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa was keen to congratulate the teams of Japan and Iran after they became one of the first non -host teams that guaranteed their qualification to the 2026 World Cup Finals, wishing success to the rest of the continent’s representatives in the upcoming benefits, led by the World Cup for Clubs that will be held next June. At the same time, His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa expressed his confidence in the organizational capabilities of both the Australian Football Association and the Saudi Football Association, as the two federations hosting the Asian Women’s Cup 2026 and the 2027 Asian Cup, respectively, praising in the same context the standard number of requests to express the desire to host the AFC Football Association in order to host the finals of the Cup Asia 2031. Sheikh Salman also expressed the aspirations of the future Asian Federation, pointing to the possibility of submitting hosting files to the AFC Asian Cup 2031 and 2035 for approval during one meeting of the General Assembly, within the framework of a long -term strategy aimed at enhancing planning at the level of Asian football. The President of the AFC had informed the executive office in its sixth meeting, which was held one day before the General Assembly, that at least seven national federations expressed their interest in hosting the most important tournament at the level of national teams in the continent. The AFC president conveyed at the beginning of his speech condolences to the Asian football family to the victims of the war in Palestine, and the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar and Thailand, which resulted in the death of more than 3,000 people. His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said, after standing a minute of silence in order to have mercy on the lives of the victims: The Asian Union stands in solidarity with the peoples of Palestine, Myanmar and Thailand in these painful times, and our hearts and calls with those who lost their loved ones and their homes, and we wish everyone to find consolation and strength in everyone’s solidarity with them.
