President of the Japan Football Association issues statement on AFC departure

Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, President of the Japan Football Association, has issued a declaration about leaving the Asian Football Confederation to establish an independent coalition.

In a recent interview with the news agency DPA, JFA President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto completely denied rumors that Japan is considering leaving the AFC. He affirmed that JFA has never discussed this matter and remains committed to developing football within the region.

Specifically, the head of JFA stated: “We have no plans, now or in the future, to withdraw from the AFC. JFA is not contemplating joining any organization outside Asia nor supporting any similar initiatives.”

These remarks come amid widespread speculation that Japan is considering leaving the AFC to create a new organization called the East Asian Football Confederation (EAC). Many sources suggest JFA is dissatisfied with the lack of fairness and the overwhelming influence of Middle Eastern countries in AFC’s governance structure.

Additionally, the way continental tournaments are organized, especially the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25, has sparked criticism. Holding all matches from the quarterfinals onward in Saudi Arabia puts East Asian teams like Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale at a significant disadvantage due to travel schedules and physical strain.

Some opinions suggest Japan seeks a more competitive environment, as their level surpasses most teams in the region. However, President Miyamoto disagrees with this view. He believes Asian football is clearly progressing thanks to serious investments in training and infrastructure, which help narrow the gap between football nations.

“Investment in youth development is always a crucial factor,” Miyamoto emphasized. “We aim for international standards and want to compete fairly with the world’s top football nations. That is the right path for Japan to maintain its status and continue advancing.”

Currently, Japan remains a member of the East Asian Football Federation (EAFF), which is under the AFC. Historically, some countries have switched continental federations, such as Israel moving to UEFA or Australia leaving Oceania to join AFC. However, the simultaneous departure of multiple countries from one continental federation to form a new organization, as rumored about the AFC, has never happened.

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