The Football Association of Indonesia, Chinese Football Association and the Philippine Football Federation have become the latest applicants, bringing the total number of AFC Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) currently under review to 20. Meanwhile, The Football Association of Thailand, Football Association of Brunei Darussalam, Tajikistan Football Federation and Football Association of Maldives have joined the eight existing members (see end of page).
“We are encouraged by the growing engagement of both our MAs and RAs with the FFTG initiative. This movement signals the significant rise in awareness of football’s unique role in creating inclusive, equitable, and resilient communities across Asia,” said Vahid Kardany, Secretary to the AFC Dream Asia Foundation and the AFC Deputy General Secretary - Member Associations.
100 Days until the AFC Dream Asia Foundation Conference 2025: Strategic Platform for FFTG Engagement
As a reflection of the AFC’s commitment to this vision, the AFC Dream Asia Foundation Conference 2025 will be held on October 15, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in collaboration with the UN FFTG Secretariat. The event will convene football stakeholders, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society to exchange knowledge and strengthen collaboration in leveraging football for sustainable development.
“The Dream Asia Foundation Conference will be a gateway to deeper FFTG engagement for our Member Associations and Regional Associations,” added Kardany. “This collaboration enables us to localise global goals through football and integrate social responsibility into the strategic priorities of Asian football.”
The AFC Dream Asia Foundation, in collaboration with FFTG, is playing a key enabling role in helping football governing bodies across Asia participate in this movement. Rather than joining as a member, the Foundation acts as a continental facilitator, guiding and supporting MAs and RAs to apply and align with FFTG's core principles. This coordinated engagement signals the Foundation’s commitment to global-local alignment in advancing the SDGs through football.
Aligning Local Action with Global Goals
Through FFTG, football organisations commit to promoting the SDGs by adopting responsible business practices, championing social inclusion, and aligning communications with sustainable development messaging. Membership is voluntary, non-binding, and without financial obligation, making it an accessible and strategic platform for the AFC’s 47 MAs and five RAs.
Robert Skinner, Chief of Partnerships and Global Engagement in the UN’s Department of Global Communications, said: “When football and the United Nations stand together, we send a powerful message: the SDGs are everyone's game, and every goal counts. Football for the Goals is proud of our collaboration with the AFC for the upcoming AFC Dream Asia Foundation Conference, a significant opportunity to advance football’s role for sustainable development in the region.
“We commend the AFC’s efforts in engaging its Member Associations and Regional Associations in championing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating football’s potential to drive lasting social impact. Our joint effort reflects a shared commitment to empower youth, promote gender equality, climate action, and health, and to foster inclusion and peace through the powerful voice of the game. We look forward to making meaningful progress together with the Asian football community.”
Total number of applications:
- Afghanistan Football Federation
- ASEAN Football Federation
- Central Asian Football Association
- Chinese Football Association
- Federação Futebol de Timor-Leste
- Football Association of Singapore
- Football Federation of Cambodia
- Football Association of Indonesia
- Football Federation of Sri Lanka
- Guam Football Association
- Iraqi Football Association
- The Kyrgyz Football Union
- Lao Football Federation
- Mongolian Football Federation
- Myanmar Football Federation
- Pakistan Football Federation
- Philippine Football Federation
- Uzbekistan Football Association
- Vietnam Football Federation
- Yemen Football Association
Existing members:
- Bangladesh Football Federation
- Bhutan Football Federation
- Football Association of Brunei Darussalam
- Football Association of Maldives
- The Football Association of Thailand
- Japan Football Association
- Jordan Football Association
- Oman Football Association
- South Asian Football Federation
- Tajikistan Football Federation
- UAE Football Association
- West Asian Football Federation
*Above information correct as of July 7, 2025.
Related News
- Social Responsibility
Tashkent revels in UFA’s “We Are All Equal” programme
- Social Responsibility
AFC-FFTG Workshop reaffirms commitment to sustainability
- Member Associations
Third batch of AFC Certificate in Football Leadership participants ready to make impact
- Member Associations
AFC and SAFF collaborate to elevate football development
Item 1 of 4