Riyadh will take center stage on Thursday, October 16, 2025, as the Saudi capital hosts the AFC Awards Riyadh 2025 presented by NEOM at the King Fahd Cultural Center, welcoming some of Asia’s most prominent football figures and sports icons.
This marks the first time the prestigious ceremony will be held in the Kingdom, celebrating the achievements of Asia’s top male and female football players from the 2024–2025 season. The 29th edition of the continent’s premier football awards will honor exceptional talent across 20 categories.
AFC, FIFA
Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA Council Senior Vice President, expressed his delight at bringing the ceremony to Riyadh. He emphasized that hosting the event highlights Saudi Arabia’s growing influence and leadership within Asian football.
He also noted that the Kingdom has become a global hub for football development, driven by the unwavering support of its leadership for the advancement of sports. Shaikh Salman also extended his appreciation to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) for its extensive efforts and exceptional organization in ensuring the event’s success.
The AFC President added that the confederation has undergone comprehensive strategic reforms to strengthen its identity and elevate its competitions. This year’s ceremony, he said, embodies that vision through a fresh new identity that reflects progress and innovation across Asian football.
All trophies and honors — including the AFC’s highest accolade, the AFC Diamond of Asia — have been redesigned and will be presented to their recipients at this year’s ceremony.
Moreover, Shaikh Salman congratulated all nominees and commended the dedication of national and regional associations to excellence and innovation in developing football across the continent.
AFC Player
The nominees for AFC Player of the Year (Men) are Salem Al-Dawsari, Arif Aiman Hanapi, and Akram Afif, while the contenders for AFC Women’s Player of the Year include Holly McNamara, Wang Shuang, and Hana Takahashi.
Additional honors will recognize excellence in categories such as AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men and Women), AFC International Player of the Year (Men and Women), and the Refereeing Awards.
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