AFC Nations League

AFC Nations League
Organiser(s)Asian Football Confederation
Founded21 December 2025 (2025-12-21)
RegionAsia and Australia
Teams47
Related competitionsAFC Asian Cup

The AFC Nations League is a planned international football competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for senior men's national teams in Asia. The competition was announced in December 2025 and is intended to enhance development opportunities for AFC Member Associations by providing a more structured and competitive international match framework.[1][2]

History

On 21 December 2025, the Asian Football Confederation announced plans to introduce the AFC Nations League as part of its broader strategic efforts to strengthen national team football across the continent. The decision was made in principle following internal consultations and forms part of the AFC’s long-term vision to improve competitive balance and increase meaningful international fixtures for its Member Associations.

The AFC cited challenges such as limited opponent availability, rising operational costs, and the declining sporting value of international friendly matches as key reasons for introducing a Nations League-style competition.[1]

Format

As of its announcement, the AFC has not confirmed the competition format, scheduling, or qualification procedures. The confederation stated that details regarding the structure, timeline, and implementation of the AFC Nations League would be finalised through consultations with stakeholders and relevant AFC committees and announced at a later date.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "AFC to introduce Nations League to enhance development opportunities". the-AFC. Retrieved 2025-12-21.
  2. ^ a b "Asian Football Confederation to launch Nations League competition". The Straits Times. 21 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
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