Record-breaking 42 MAs celebrate AFC Women’s Football Day 2026

—- A record-breaking 42 Member Associations (MAs) will join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to commemorate AFC Women’s Football Day 2026 with a series of activities aimed at promoting and recognising the continued progress of the women’s game in Asia.

The 12th edition of the annual celebration comes at a particularly significant time, as the Continent celebrates its premier women’s national team competition, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™, which is underway from March 1 to 21 in Australia.

As Asia’s finest showcase their talent on the grand stage, the seeds of tomorrow are being sown by their MAs, with more than 25,000 participants observing the day across the length and breadth of the Continent.

As many as eight MAs, namely the Bhutan Football Federation, Guam Football Association, All India Football Federation, Kyrgyz Football Union, Northern Mariana Islands Football Association, Palestine Football Association, Football Association of Singapore and Vietnam Football Federation, marked their 12th year of observing the day through a vast array of celebrations.

In a year that has seen the crowning of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League™ winners, the return of much-awaited competitions such as the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™, and the incredible dominance of DPR Korea on the world’s biggest stages, the 2026 celebrations will also be highlighted by a blockbuster tie between hosts Australia and Korea Republic at the stunning 80,000-capacity Sydney Stadium.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “Today, as we mark the 12th year of celebrating this occasion, the world observes International Women’s Day and the Continent stands united not only in recognising the strength, resilience and achievements of women across all walks of life, but also in witnessing the 21st edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ unfold before us.

“The past few days have already demonstrated the extraordinary spirit of women’s football in Asia, and the tournament has served as a powerful reminder of how far our women’s game has progressed — growing into a platform that symbolises excellence, ambition and opportunity for generations past, present and future.

“The performances we are witnessing on the pitch are a testament to the unwavering dedication of our MAs and Regional Associations, players, coaches, referees and administrators who have worked tirelessly to elevate the women’s game across the Continent.”

With the competition taking place in their own backyard, Football Australia and Football New South Wales hosted a Women’s Leadership Network and Learn session to strengthen connections among women leaders in football and foster continued professional development within the game, after which the guest speakers attended the AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ clash between China PR and Uzbekistan at Western Sydney Stadium.

In Syria, a mini women’s tournament was organised to encourage greater participation of women in football, while the All India Football Federation delivered nationwide festivals, leagues, and awareness programmes to increase participation, promote visibility, and inspire more girls and women to choose football.

In Bangladesh, whose national team made their debut at the Continental showpiece last week, a football festival was staged to introduce girls to the sport in an engaging and accessible environment, while the Chinese Football Association coordinated large-scale school and university activities to broaden grassroots participation and raise awareness of women’s football across multiple provinces.

The AFC President added: “Now, as we stand in the midst of what is truly one of the most significant spectacles in the history of women’s football in Asia, I urge all of you to harness this momentum — to inspire the next generation and ensure that football remains a platform where every girl and woman across our Continent can thrive.

“On behalf of the entire AFC family, I wish everyone across Asia a very happy International Women’s Day and a memorable AFC Women’s Football Day 2026.”

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