Baghdad: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee has officially approved Japan as the host nation for the 2028 AFC U-23 Championship. This tournament will also serve as the Asian qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Japan was selected following a comprehensive evaluation of its bid, which highlighted the country's world-class sports facilities and its low operational risks. The decision aligns with the AFC's commitment to geographical diversity and strategic rotation in hosting major continental tournaments.

The Executive Committee's approval of Japan's hosting rights is part of a broader package of decisions aimed at optimizing the use of resources for host national associations and improving the efficiency of organizing continental competitions. As part of this strategy, the hosting rights for the 2027 AFC U-17 Championship have been transferred to the Uzbekistan Football Association, while the Saudi Arabian Football Federation will host the 2029 edition.

In efforts to enhance club competitions, the AFC has approved structural reforms for the AFC Champions League, effective from the 2026-27 season. These changes include a shift to a 32-team format, with a new draw procedure involving four pots. Clubs will play two matches against teams from each pot, based on draw results. Additionally, the final round of group stage matches will occur simultaneously in both the East and West zones to ensure sporting fairness.

Regarding national team competitions, the Executive Committee has introduced amendments to the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers regulations. Host nations of previous editions will retain qualification rights if they compete as non-hosts in subsequent tournaments. Additionally, national associations that do not participate or withdraw will be relegated to the developmental stage in the next edition, promoting participation and competition stability. The remaining spots in the qualifiers will be allocated to the highest-ranked teams relegated to the development stage in the previous round.

If any team withdraws after the AFC has approved the final participant list, the tournament will proceed without a replacement.