AFC confirms Japan as host of AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028; approves major competition reforms
AFC grants Saudi Arabia permanent hosting rights for the Champions League Elite Finals.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee officially ratified a series of major hosting and regulatory decisions, including the confirmation of Japan as the host of the 2028 edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup, which will serve as Asia’s qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.
Japan secured the hosting rights following a competitive bidding process that included submissions from Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Qatar, and Uzbekistan as well as the United Arab Emirates, who subsequently withdrew earlier this year.
While all final bidders met the minimum requirements, Japan was selected based on its world-class facilities, minimal operational risk, and in the spirit of ensuring geographic diversity and the strategic rotation of major Asian football tournaments.
Japan to host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028
In addition to approving the Competition Regulations of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Japan 2028, the Committee also endorsed a strategic realignment of the youth tournament roadmap to optimise Continental hosting resources.
Under the updated plan, the hosting rights for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 have been transferred to the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA). Concurrently, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has been officially awarded the hosting rights for the subsequent AFC U17 Asian Cup 2029.
AFC approves structural reforms for club and youth competitions
Several structural reforms were passed to elevate the competitive integrity across the AFC’s club competitions.
Starting from the 2026/27 season, the AFC Champions League Elite will follow a set of updated core principles in its match scheduling in accordance with the newly expanded competition format featuring 32 participating clubs.
Each club will now play two matches against the clubs from each pot, as decided by the draw, which will now utilise four pots instead of two.
To guarantee absolute sporting fairness, the final League Stage matchdays will now feature simultaneous kick-offs in both the East and West regions respectively.
Additionally, new qualification rules for the AFC U20 Asian Cup will guarantee previous tournament hosts a slot in the qualification phase if they enter as a non-host.
Conversely, any Member Association that fails to enter or withdraws from the tournament will face mandatory relegation to the Development Phase in the subsequent edition.
Meanwhile, to maintain a complete 32-team qualification field, open slots will be assigned to the highest-ranked teams relegated to the Development Phase in the preceding cycle.
However, should any team withdraw following the AFC’s final entry confirmation, the tournament will proceed without a replacement.
Saudi Arabia awarded permanent hosting rights for AFC Champions League Elite Finals
Finally, following the successful delivery of the 2024/25 and 2025/26 editions, SAFF’s provisional hosting rights for the AFC Champions League Elite Finals, which were confirmed in December 2023, have been made permanent for the 2026/27, 2027/28, and 2028/29 seasons.
Who will host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028?
Japan will host the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028 after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee officially approved its bid. The tournament will also serve as Asia’s qualification event for the men’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Which countries bid to host the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028?
The bidding process included Japan, Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Qatar, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates. The UAE withdrew its bid earlier this year.
What changes have been made to the AFC Champions League Elite from the 2026/27 season?
The competition will feature 32 clubs, a four-pot draw system, two matches against clubs from each pot, and simultaneous kick-offs on the final League Stage matchdays in both the East and West regions to ensure sporting fairness.
What are the new AFC U20 Asian Cup qualification rules?
Previous tournament hosts will receive a place in the Qualification Phase if they participate as non-hosts. Member Associations that fail to enter or withdraw will be relegated to the Development Phase for the next edition, while vacant qualification slots will be filled by the highest-ranked relegated teams if required.
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A sports journalist for over 4 years, Triyasha has been covering Indian Football and Kanbaddi meticulously, She specialises in in-depth knowledge of the game, the players and the footballing infrastructure and heritage in India.