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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Professional Football Seminar 2026 concluded on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, after three days of engaging discussions and knowledge sharing aimed at strengthening professional football across the Continent.
Building on an opening day that explored the AFC’s club competitions’ overview and the Confederation’s Club Licensing System, the remainder of the Seminar provided participants with further opportunities to hear from experts on the evolving ecosystem of the professional game.
Wednesday’s programme began with updates to the AFC Entry Regulations and entry procedures for the AFC’s club competitions in the 2026/27 season, before discussions shifted to the international landscape, where experts from FIFA and CONCACAF shared insights on the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2026 and the FIFA Club Benefits Programme, and perspectives on professional football development, respectively.
Day Two also featured insights from representatives of several domestic leagues across the AFC’s Member Associations, including the Malaysian Football League and the Uzbekistan Professional Football League, who shared on topics such as government relations, funding and financial fair play.
Furthermore, the spotlight also shone on the AFC Benchmarking Report 2025/26, which reinforced its role in supporting the continued development of club football across Asia.
Proceedings on the final day began with a comprehensive overview of the AFC Stadium Regulations before participants heard from the K League on its Pitch Assist Programme.
In the final session, AFC and FIFA experts briefed the attendees on the latest updates to the Women’s Club Licensing framework, highlighting the steady and continuous progress of the women’s professional game.
Reflecting on the three-day seminar, AFC Competitions and Football Events Division Deputy Director Pavel Luzanov said: “Together, we explored topics that are shaping the future of professional football in Asia.
“Our growth depends upon a willingness to embrace innovation, uphold the highest professional standards of integrity and professionalism, and continue learning from one another, and the AFC remains fully committed to supporting this journey and to creating opportunities that strengthen the professional game across the Continent.”
