apan Threatens to Leave the AFC

Japan Threatens to Leave the AFC — What’s Really Going On?

One of Asia’s biggest football powers is openly considering a shocking move: Japan is threatening to withdraw from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The reason? Growing frustration with what Japanese clubs and officials see as an increasingly Saudi- and Qatar-dominated AFC, where decisions and tournaments are allegedly tilted in favor of the Gulf nations.

Why Japan Is Angry

For months, Japanese clubs have complained about:

  • Biased refereeing decisions
  • Unbalanced competition formats
  • Scheduling designed to favor Gulf teams
  • AFC governance shifting toward Saudi and Qatari influence

The situation has escalated so far that discussions have already begun in Tokyo about a potential breakaway competition — a “East Asian Football Federation” — which could include several neighboring countries unhappy with the current structure.

The Shandong Taishan Controversy

The breaking point came in the AFC Champions League.

Chinese side Shandong Taishan withdrew from the tournament, and the AFC responded by annulling all of their matches.

This decision hit Japan directly: Vissel Kobe lost three points previously earned against Shandong.

The consequences were severe:

  • Vissel fell in the standings
  • Drew a much tougher knockout opponent
  • Lost home-field advantage for the second leg
  • And eventually got eliminated

To make matters worse, the later stages of the competition were held… in Saudi Arabia.

World Cup Qualifier Scheduling Scandal

But the frustrations didn’t end there.

During the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Saudi Arabia and Qatar enjoyed unusually favorable conditions:

  • They played all their matches at home
  • They received nearly a full week of rest between games
  • Meanwhile, their opponents played every 2–3 days and traveled constantly

The outcome?

Both Saudi Arabia and Qatar qualified while winning only one match each, further fueling accusations of structural bias within the AFC.

Could Japan Really Leave the AFC?

The idea is no longer theoretical. Japanese media and federation insiders openly discuss forming a new regional alliance, arguing that East Asian football faces “systemic disadvantages” under the current administration.

If Japan — historically Asia’s most successful, stable, and well-run football nation — leaves the AFC, it could trigger:

  • A major political crisis in Asian football
  • Potential fragmentation of continental competitions
  • A realignment of regional tournaments and Champions League structures
  • Other frustrated nations joining Japan’s side

This story is far from over — and the consequences could reshape Asian football for years to come.

Published by Patrick Jane
14.11.2025