A record-breaking 45 Member Associations (MAs) joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in celebrating the 13th AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026.

The 2026 edition of the AFC’s annual event once again served as an excellent demonstration of the spirit of grassroots football that the Confederation continues to uphold by encouraging MAs to expand their reach and welcome people from all walks of life to experience the power of the beautiful game.

Traditionally commemorated on May 15, the AFC shifted the yearly celebration to May 23 last year in alignment with FIFA’s World Football Week, thereby creating further opportunities to contribute towards the United Nations’ “Football for the Goals” initiative and the advancement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

This year, celebrations were led by the Qatar Football Association (QFA), where a vibrant grassroots festival was conducted over two days and comprised close to a thousand young children.

The event, which featured small-sided games, practice clinics and several other engaging activities, was organised under the guidance of QFA Director of Football Development Fahad Abdullah Thani Al Zaraa and received strong support from parents and families.

To the immense delight of the children, the event was also attended by Qatar Stars League players Yacine Brahimi and Ahmed Al-Rawi.

Meanwhile, in Cambodia, the Football Federation of Cambodia joined hands with non-profit organisations to spread the celebrations across 25 provinces, while in China PR, more than 500 participants not only took part in enjoyable football activities but were also given the opportunity to attend child safeguarding lectures.

In praising the MAs on their efforts, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “Grassroots football is the foundation upon which the AFC’s Vision and Mission is built. Fostering a love for the game is the first step towards making football the number one sport in Asia, and I commend the dedication of our MAs and Regional Associations in carrying this responsibility forward while ensuring that football remains accessible to all, irrespective of social or economic differences.

“It is imperative that we continue to harness the power of grassroots football to reach more communities, create more opportunities, and ensure that the game remains a force for positive development across Asia.”

The AFC’s commitment towards strengthening the grassroots ecosystem was further reinforced through several key initiatives over the past year, including the successful staging of the AFC Grassroots Football Conference in November 2025.

Besides providing a platform for experts to come together and share valuable insights, the conference also saw the AFC Grassroots Special Awards honour the unsung heroes whose tireless dedication continues to drive the development of grassroots football throughout the Continent.