Reliance Foundation announces Japan exposure tour for top three RFDL teams
Punjab FC, Bengaluru FC and FC Goa to take part in RFDL’s Japan exposure tour
The Reliance Foundation has announced an exposure tour to Japan for the top 3 teams of the Reliance Football Development League (RFDL). The standout performers from the 2025-26 season Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC have been awarded the opportunity to take on some of Japan’s proven youth sides.
This tour aims to give young players the much-needed important exposure and higher level of competition globally.
A positive step towards youth football development
The Japan tour will take place from 11–23 July in Fukuoka and will see the three Indian clubs compete against leading Japanese youth sides Avispa Fukuoka U18, Sagan Tosu U18, Giravanz Kitakyushu U18 and FC Baleine Shimonoseki U21.
The matches are designed to expose India’s most promising young footballers to high-intensity competition, different playing styles and one of Asia’s most successful football development ecosystems.
Former Indian national team captain & the current Bengaluru FC Reserves Head Coach Renedy Singh urged the importance of the Japan exposure trip.
Renedy Singh stated, “Through Reliance Foundation, we were able to play 23 matches over the course of the season and now we have a chance to test ourselves against some of the best opposition in the world. It’s a great platform for the teams, the coaches as well as the players.”
FC Goa’s Development Team Head Coach Israil Gurung also further added to the importance of this tour.
Israil Gurung added, “Japan has developed into a powerhouse for football not just in Asia but globally as well, because of their strong grassroots programme. It’ll be a very good experience for our players when they travel to Japan and see the quality of football there. At FC Goa, we believe that this is a development phase and opportunities like these will only help the players grow.”
Punjab FC, who were part previous exposure trip organized by Reliance Foundation in the UK in 2024 where they beat the likes of Everton FC & Aston Villa, will also be part of the travelling teams to Japan.
Punjab FC’s youth team head coach Praveen Kumar said, “The Japanese youth football system is properly structured. We went to the UK last time and had players like Pramveer and Md. Suhail who were part of the squad that time and had a great learning opportunity. Reliance Foundation is bridging the gap between youth football and senior level through competitions and exposure tours like this and I think we are going to have a good challenge and learning opportunity against tactically and technically sound teams in Japan.”
Exposure to elite football environment
Over the past few years, the Indian teams from RFDL have competed against some of England’s leading youth teams. The Japan tour presents the next step in expanding those global learning opportunities, allowing India’s best young talent to benchmark themselves against one of Asia’s leading football nations.
Recognising that player development goes hand in hand with coach development, the programme also includes a dedicated three-day coach education module for six coaches from the participating clubs at Avispa Fukuoka.
The curriculum will include sessions on Individual Development Plans, player progression and high-performance environments, alongside interactions with the Football Director of FC Machida Zelvia, whose club has risen from the J2 League to the AFC Champions League Elite Final in just three years.
Beyond football, the delegation will participate in cultural visits to the Nagasaki Peace Stadium, Atomic Bomb Museum and Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, reflecting Reliance Foundation’s holistic approach to player and coach development.
The Japan exposure tour further strengthens the Reliance Foundation Development League’s role in shaping the future of Indian football.
As part of a holistic development pathway, the league combines high-quality domestic competition with international exposure and coach education, equipping young players and coaches with global best practices.
Japan’s sustained success in youth football makes it an ideal benchmark, helping prepare the next generation to compete at the highest levels.
Which teams will participate in the RFDL Japan tour?
The standout performers from the 2025-26 season Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC will participate in the Japan tour.
When will Japan tour take place?
The Japan tour will take place from 11–23 July in Fukuoka.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.