October 22: Asian football leaders completed the first day of the 2026 AFC Conference of Presidents and General Secretaries in Tokyo, Japan on Wednesday. The conference will continue for a second day before the AFC holds an Extraordinary Congress on Friday.
As the United States has announced the withdrawal of non-essential embassy staff from Saudi Arabia following a wave of deadly drone and missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi militants, discussion will inevitably turn to Saudi hosting of the Asian Cup in January and security concerns for teams, staff and fans.
There is a session on the AFC Saudi Arabia 2027 Asian Cup scheduled for today, although the discussion is not expected to cover the status and security of the competition, although it is expected to be addressed at Friday’s Extraordinary Congress. The AFC is currently taking a wait-and-see approach to hostilities with no concrete decision expected until November.
Now in its fourth edition, the flagship event has become a key platform for AFC members to focus on improving leadership capabilities, strengthening governance standards and sharing best practices.
Japan Football Association (JFA) president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto opened the conference by saying, “Seeing football from different roles and positions has told me that progress comes not only from our own efforts, but also from the people we meet, the experiences we share and the lessons we learn from each other along the way.”
The 120 delegates were then treated to an address by AFC Secretary-General Datuk Seri Windsor John, who emphasized the vital role played by the Confederation’s MAs and RAs in driving the progress of Asian football.
“Since the first edition of this Conference in 2023, it has become a meeting that has been growing,” he said. “And over the past year, the AFC has continued to reach new heights. We have seen a record nine AFC representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a historic AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. At club level, both our men’s and women’s competitions are setting new benchmarks of excellence…
“As key leaders and decision-makers, you have the skills and experience to take the Asian game to even greater heights, both on and off the pitch. During these two days, I also hope you will take the time to strengthen friendships because our Asian unity is key to our shared success in the future.”
Wednesday’s sessions included how match-fixing is adapting and the technology used to combat it; a round table on football leadership; and a session on how AI can be leveraged to improve strategic planning and operational excellence.
Today’s session will focus on women’s football, referee development, practical applications of AI, football’s contribution to wider social goals and competition strategy.
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