Grassroots
Held annually on May 23, this year's events once again coincided with FIFA's World Football Week, reinforcing the AFC's support for the United Nations' Football for the Goals initiative and its shared commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through football.
Join us at the-AFC.com for the first in a series that highlights how MAs embraced the AFC Grassroots Day 2026 with creativity and enthusiasm.
Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) marked the occasion at five venues – Jessore, Thakurgaon, Dhaka, Kurigram and Feni, gathering more than 1,500 children aged between six and 13 years in a nationwide display of passion, talent and unity.
AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026 - Bangladesh
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The students engaged in small-sided games, training sessions and other activities designed to sharpen their skills and instil values such as discipline, teamwork, respect and resilience.
The inauguration ceremony at the Shamsul Huda Football Academy in Jessore was attended by dignitaries that included Argentine Ambassador to Bangladesh, Marcelo Carlos Cesa, and BFF President Tabith Awal.
Bhutan
The Bhutan Football Federation centred the main AFC Grassroots Day 2026 celebrations in Tencholing in Wangdue Phodrang, with simultaneous events in eight other regions: Trashigang, Bumthang, Gelephu, Samtse, Samdrup Jongkhar, Tsirang, Mongar and Phuentsholing.
AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026 - Bhutan
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A total of 928 children, supported by 131 volunteers, took part in technical drills, small-sided games and technical contests, while also being introduced to concepts of child safeguarding.
At Samtse, players from Samtse FC played a key role in leading children through basic football drills, skill-development exercises and small-sided games. In Mongar, a separate football programme was held for 50 monks at a private mini football pitch to ensure an inclusive experience tailored to their setting.
Cambodia
The Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) brought together 60 girls and boys each alongside seven volunteer coaches for the AFC Grassroots Day 2026, with 25 provinces nationwide welcoming an additional 1,140 children to the pitch.
AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026 - Cambodia
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The FFC put child safeguarding at the heart of their campaign, involving volunteer coaches, parents and guardians, and created educational posters for children and guardians to clearly map out safeguarding rights.
Activities also included drills and those focused on football-based values including safety, gender parity and teamwork, notably exemplified by the united efforts of the Department of Education, Youth and Sports of Cambodia, local clubs, school principals and Japan International Cooperation Agency volunteers.
China PR
More than 4,600 participants and 50,000 spectators joined the Chinese Football Association in a series of AFC Grassroots Day 2026 events from late May to June in eight provinces: Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Sichuan, Hubei, Chongqing City, Guangdong and Shanxi.
AFC Grassroots Football Day 2026 - China PR
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The campaign, which catered for diverse age groups, also saw venues integrate child safeguarding knowledge into their activities. Hebei’s Xiong’An facilitated a special training session as their highlight, gathering nearly 40 frontline practitioners, including school teachers and youth coaches to discuss juvenile risk prevention and emergency response.
Nationwide happenings included parent-child, U6 to U10, campus youth league and county grassroots league tournaments, a 3-v-3 challenge, a pre-school carnival themed “Happy Football, Healthy Growth”, a Children’s Day festival, and the Sanshi Cup Campus Football Invitational, which hosted 60 local primary schools and kindergartens.
DPR Korea
A 200-strong turnout of students, teachers and parents attended the DPR Korea Football Association (DPRK FA)’s one-day event at the East Pyongyang Stadium to commemorate the AFC Grassroots Day 2026.
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Watched on by DPRK FA officials, the participants took to the pitch for games, penalty contests and matches officiated by referees from FIFA. The day concluded with a group photo to mark the occasion.
In his welcome speech, DPRK FA General Secretary Kim Jong Sik thanked parents for supporting the grassroots game, hailing them as the 12th player in any team for encouraging their children to play and remain committed.
Hong Kong, China
The Football Association of Hong Kong, China Limited (HKFA) hosted a series of diverse events throughout May, with activities designed to bring the joy of football to all sectors and foster community spirit.
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These included Women’s Grassroots Football Day, featuring six teams from the HKFA Women’s Football Development Programme and a two-day HKFA Family Soccer Fun Day, where a group of 20 local volunteers and Filipino domestic helpers completed a comprehensive three-hour practical session to become Grassroots Football Leaders. Later, the Family Soccer Fun Day was held for 300 young players under the guidance of HKFA coaches.
The AFC Grassroots Day 2026 events followed suit, with four pillars highlighting inclusivity and community bonding. They comprised the Hong Kong African Community Tournament (a platform for the local African community), Elderly Grassroots Day (150 male and female senior players) Youth Grassroots Day (250 children and parents) and Inclusion Matches, which mixed senior and youth categories.
India
The All India Football Federation, in collaboration with its member associations and affiliated bodies, organised the AFC Grassroots Day 2026 events that involved more than 10,000 participants and 60 contributing entities.
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Activities nationwide focused on grassroots-level festivals, educational workshops, awareness programmes and community engagements – all showcasing the game as a catalyst for positive change and a commitment to child safeguarding, inclusivity and football development.
Environmental sustainability was also a part of the agenda, with a Goals for Trees initiative planting trees for every goal scored, a pledge to encourage the reduced usage of single-use plastics and a tree-plantation drive led by local organisations, who relied on employees, athletes, volunteers and communities to increase green cover and support biodiversity.
Jordan
A total of 70 boys aged between 12 and 16 from grassroots centres nationwide took part in the Jordan Football Association (JFA)’s AFC Grassroots Day 2026 activities at the Etihad Fields.
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Under the supervision of national coaches, the players engaged in technical development exercises, small-sided games and team-building sessions designed to enhance skills, encourage active involvement and promote enjoyment of the game.
Aside from honing their abilities, the young players also learnt the fundamentals of teamwork, respect and inclusion, which formed part of the JFA’s efforts to ensure a safe, educational atmosphere and enhance overall player development.
Japan
Japan’s popular Walking Football Festival, organised by the Japan Football Association (JFA), made a comeback with around 200 participants taking to the pitch at the Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field.
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Promoting the theme “Football for everyone”, it included the JFA-Kirin Walking Football Hiroba, which was open to individuals.
In organising the event, the JFA brought together people from all walks of life, age and experience, proving that walking football is one of the myriad ways to enjoy the game.
Photos courtesy of respective Member Associations
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