Vancouver, Canada, , April 30, 2026: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee today made significant strides in its deliberations regarding the commercial rights for the 2029–2036 cycle. Following a comprehensive tender process, the AFC will now embark on the strategic next steps to ensure that the long-term commercial interests of the Confederation are best served.

Chairing the eighth meeting in Vancouver, Canada, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The calibre of interest received reflects the worldwide appeal and rapid upward trajectory of Asian football. While we received several visionary proposals, the Executive Committee has decided to take further time to ensure our final direction fully secures the prosperous future the Asian football family deserves.” The deliberations come amidst the most significant competition reforms in the AFC’s history and the successful transition to a revamped three-tier men’s club structure, which includes the AFC Champions League Elite™ as well as the breakthrough AFC Women’s Champions League™. Shaikh Salman added: “Our ambitions remain to increase the technical quality and commercial value of Asian football. Our Member Associations (MAs), Regional Associations (RAs), and clubs are currently benefiting from record financial rewards, and we are committed to maintaining this momentum.

“The ongoing 2021–2028 cycle has strengthened the foundations of the Asian game in ways previously unimagined. As we look toward the 2029–2036 cycle, we must ensure our off-field resources match our immense on-field ambitions.” The AFC President expressed his gratitude to the AFC Audit and Compliance Committee and the AFC Tender Management Team for upholding the highest standards of transparency throughout the process. During the meeting, the Executive Committee also expressed its unanimous and unwavering support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s re-election for the next term. This endorsement follows a period of significant collaboration between the AFC and FIFA, particularly in expanding global participation and investment in the Asian game.

Shaikh Salman said: “During the past 10 years, FIFA, under the leadership of President Gianni Infantino and AFC have worked closely and successfully together for the development of the game both in Asia and globally. FIFA is in its best position ever and we offer our continued and full support to him as a candidate for FIFA President for the term 2027-2031, just as the AFC and Asian football has always supported him since his election in 2016.”