His Excellency Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and First Vice President of FIFA, affirmed that the AFC U-23 Asian Cup is no longer just a passing competition, but has become a cornerstone and central pillar in the comprehensive strategy for developing Asian national teams. He emphasized that this tournament has become a practical and effective tool for preparing and refining players' skills, paving the way for their smooth transition to higher professional levels, both continentally and internationally.
Speaking about the strategic importance of the event, the AFC President explained that the competition occupies a central place on the AFC agenda, given the high-level competitive environment it provides, which directly contributes to raising the quality of technical performance and testing the readiness of rising stars. This age group holds particular importance in the world of football, as it is considered the final step before joining the senior national teams, and this tournament often serves as the main gateway to the Olympic Games, thus adding a fierce competitive dimension and increasing its technical and marketing value.
Al Khalifa noted that recent editions of the tournament have reflected tangible progress and a qualitative leap in the levels of Asian national teams, demonstrating the success of the long-term development plans adopted by the national federations. He praised the technical development witnessed by the participating teams, which reflects positive transformations in the institutional structure and sound planning of football in Asia. He explained that this development paves the way for witnessing strong matches that live up to the aspirations of Asian fans and showcase the talents that will carry the torch of the game in future international arenas.
Regarding the hosting, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's high level of organizational readiness to host this major continental event. He affirmed that the Kingdom possesses all the necessary elements, including advanced sports infrastructure, world-class stadiums, and extensive experience in managing and hosting major sporting events. This hosting comes as a continuation of the significant sporting development taking place in Saudi Arabia, which has become a preferred destination for major international championships across various sports, thus reinforcing the Asian Football Confederation's confidence in the Kingdom's ability to deliver the tournament according to the highest standards.
The AFC President concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the fruitful and close cooperation between the Asian and Saudi Arabian Football Federations, supported by the Kingdom's governmental and official efforts, will have a positive impact on delivering an exceptional edition of the tournament. He expressed his best wishes for success to all participating teams, hoping they will present a positive and shining image of Asian football at this important continental event.
