UEFA and AFC teaming up for girls' football development
Thursday, February 19, 2026
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Three-year women's football partnership continues with workshop to help create early opportunities for the youngest players.
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Girls across Asia will benefit from increased and improved access to grassroots football thanks to the latest collaboration between UEFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
Last week, experts from the UEFA Together programme, which works alongside our sister confederations all over the world, were in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to collaborate with AFC counterparts and coach educators from national associations from Chinese Taipei, Lebanon, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.
The goal was to share the principles of the successful UEFA Playmakers programme – which combines physical drills with fun, imagination and storytelling – to help attendees create their own programmes tailored for girls aged five to eight, providing a welcoming and inclusive entry into the game.
Building foundations far and wide
Attendees were able to take inspiration from real-life examples of play-based learning, helping them to understand girls' motivations and developmental needs, which often differ from boys at the same age.
Participants also tested their programmes on a group of girls from a local school, allowing them to gain immediate feedback from their target audience, as well as guidance from experienced UEFA coaches.
"This has been an excellent opportunity for us to meet our peers and exchange ideas, especially under the expert guidance of UEFA," said FA Thailand's Junpen Seesraum. "From this workshop, we’ve gained a fresh perspective on coaching young girls, which I am confident will go a long way."
Returning home with new skills, attendees will now deliver national level training to coaches working in their respective association's girls’ grassroots programmes – ensuring the programme will benefit thousands of prospective young players waiting to fall in love with the beautiful game, as well as developing a community of newly qualified grassroots coaches, capable of delivering high-quality and impactful sessions across each country.
"UEFA is fully committed to working with AFC to develop women’s football across Asia via our UEFA Together programme," said deputy general secretary Zoran Laković. "Our shared ambition for women’s football will be key to the long-term success of this important collaboration."
More from UEFA Together
Three-year plan for women's football growth
The workshop was the latest activity in a three-year relationship that is dedicated to enhancing women's football in Asia, particularly in nations with emerging potential. It reflects AFC's ambition to increase competitiveness across the continent, providing opportunities for a new generation of girls and women to access the game.
"This latest initiative between UEFA and AFC is key to strengthening capacity and creating safe, joyful environments for young girls across Asia," explained AFC deputy general secretary, Vahid Kardany.
The grassroots workshop builds on activity from the previous year, where women's football leads from across the AFC visited UEFA Women's EURO 2025 in Switzerland.
Looking ahead, each of the five national associations will launch girls' grassroots centres later this year, providing exciting new experiences that will help young female players to build their confidence, establish friendships and develop their football skills.
"To ensure sustainable, long-term development of women’s football, it is vital to invest in girls’ football at the earliest stage," said Emily Shaw, UEFA head of executive office and international relations. "This collaboration between AFC and UEFA recognises this importance, and we are excited to see its impact in the months ahead."