The virtual event attracted head coaches and technical experts from across Asia, focusing on three major competitions, namely the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League, the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ and the FIFA World Cup 2026.

 

Roxburgh’s opening remarks were followed by a brief review of the 2025/26 season across the premier club competitions in Asia and Europe, before the attention turned towards a close examination of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Final, where Paris Saint-Germain edged Arsenal on penalties to clinch the title.

 

The discussion highlighted several key factors that were most noticeable in the performances of the two finalists, with the prominent markers ranging from excellent tempo control and organised high defensive lines to impressive attacking mobility and a balance between individual quality and collective excellence.

Paulo Sousa, who led Shabab Al Ahli to a semi-final finish, said: “We faced a lot of different situations, and from a player’s perspective, that complexity is fantastic for their development, which was also true for my own experience.

“On one side, we needed to develop the players and show them, tactically and collectively, where we needed to be and how different situations ought to be handled, but on the other hand, during the games, we need to adapt as fast as possible. Communication is not easy during matches, and you need to have a range of perspectives. The players also need to be able to make decisions for themselves.”

The final segment focused on the FIFA World Cup 2026, beginning with a review of Spain’s title-winning campaign before examining the performances of the Asian representatives.

The technical analysis placed emphasis on the importance of set plays and open-play situations, with crosses, counter-attacks and long-range shooting being among the key tenets that were discussed.

Before concluding, the forum also considered the rapidly growing demands of the modern game, including the increasing intensity and physicality at the highest level, while also touching upon factors such as the evolving role of goalkeepers.