Tokyo:The Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) Presidents' and General Secretaries' Conference 2026 has commenced in Tokyo. This is the first time the flagship event is being held in Japan, providing a platform for enhancing leadership capabilities, strengthening governance standards, and sharing best practices among Asian football leaders.

According to Wam, the conference saw 120 of Asia's foremost football decision-makers in attendance on its opening day. Delegates were welcomed by Japan Football Association (JFA) President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and learning from shared experiences in advancing Asian football.

The AFC General Secretary, Datuk Seri Windsor John, addressed the attendees, highlighting the pivotal role of the Confederation's MAs and RAs in driving the progress of Asian football. He noted the AFC's recent milestones, including a record number of representatives at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and achievements at the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026.

The conference featured presentations from experts such as Jennifer Mellors of Sportradar, who discussed innovations within the football ecosystem, particularly in combating match-fixing. A panel discussion on football leadership, moderated by AFC Deputy General Secretary Vahid Kardany, included insights from prominent football figures across Asia.

Craig Hepburn, CEO of 1706 Studio, concluded the day's sessions with a presentation on leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance strategic planning within football organizations. The conference will continue with sessions on women's football, referee development, and the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027S, among other topics.