FIFPRO Asia/Oceania unveils vision for 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and new League Benchmarking Project

FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has unveiled its vision for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup and a new League Benchmarking Project at its General Assembly in Tokyo, Japan.

The General Assembly, hosted by FIFPRO Asia/Oceania and the Japan Pro-Footballers Association (JPFA), brought together representatives from FIFPRO Asia/Oceania’s 12 member unions, observer unions, Japanese football stakeholders, and FIFPRO Secretary General Alex Phillips.

The gathering included reflections from professional footballers, including JPFA President Maya Yoshida, who highlighted the importance of collective representation in shaping the future of football across Asia and Oceania.

Current and former players, including FIFA Women’s World Cup winners Mana Iwabuchi and Aya Miyama, WE League players Ami Otaki and Maya Yamamoto, and J1 League players from AFC Asian Champions League finalists Kawasaki Frontale, Jung Sung-Ryong and Sai van Wermeskerken, were in attendance.

Professionalising women’s football

FIFPRO Asia/Oceania outlined a four-point plan for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, aimed at professionalising women’s football in the region.

The vision aims to deliver equal conditions for all future men’s and women’s AFC Asian Cups, including equality of conditions, equal prize money, a guaranteed player share of prize money, and a co-designed tournament legacy between the players and the AFC.

“The AFC Women’s Asian Cup is set to be the biggest edition in its 50-year history, at a time when women’s football is experiencing record levels of growth globally,” FIFPRO Asia/Oceania President Beau Busch said.

“It therefore presents a significant opportunity to professionalise the women’s game and ensure the tournament’s legacy supports and benefits the players who make it possible.

“The players across the region are committed to playing their part in seizing this opportunity and establishing an effective working relationship with the AFC.”

FIFPRO Secretary General Phillips highlighted the opportunity of collaboration between the Division and key stakeholders, such as the Asian Football Confederation.

“FIFPRO’s growing influence is built on partnership,” Phillips said. “We are committed to embedding player representation in decision-making at all levels of the game—particularly with the AFC and OFC.

“Our door is open to dialogue and cooperation, and we know from global experience that shared progress creates lasting impact.”