Referees
Taking place for the first time since 2019, the five-day programme brought together 22 referees from across the Continent, providing them with a valuable platform to further develop their knowledge and technical expertise as they continue their pursuit of the highest officiating standards in Asian beach soccer.
The seminar commenced on Monday with an introductory session outlining the objectives and expectations for the programme, before participants explored the amendments introduced to the Beach Soccer Laws of the Game following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
The focus shifted to practical activities on the second day, with fitness tests and strength training forming key components of the programme, while the participants also deepened their understanding of the unique aspects of beach soccer, including scissor kicks, as well as situations involving free-kicks and penalties.
On the third day, high-pressure decision-making took centre stage, with sessions covering actions and reactions, handball incidents, and offences such as Denying an Obvious Goal-Scoring Opportunity (DOGSO) and Stopping a Promising Attack (SPA).
The emphasis returned to classroom-based learning on the fourth day, where participants engaged in group discussions before testing their knowledge of the Laws of the Game through assessments conducted by the AFC's experts.
On the final day, the seminar featured match simulations designed to replicate real-life scenarios, providing the referees with the opportunity to apply their learnings in practical settings while refining their positioning, movement and decision-making, following which an interactive session marked the conclusion of the programme.
With beach soccer continuing to develop across Asia and beyond, the AFC Beach Soccer Referees Seminar 2026 once again underscored the AFC’s unwavering commitment to maximising the potential of its Member Associations and Regional Associations.
