AFC approves Asian Qualifiers dates

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The AFC has confirmed new competition dates for the rest of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

The second round of the Asian Qualifiers is intended to be completed by June 15, 2021. Match Days 7 and 8 will take place in March 2021 while Match Days 9 and 10 will be played in June. The final round of qualifiers will then begin in September 2021.

Both the AFC and FIFA agreed that the final round of Asian Qualifiers should be finished by the end of March 2022. The Asian and Inter-Continental Play-offs are then slated for May/June 2022.

The new dates were approved by the AFC Competitions Committee.

A bidding process for the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 was also agreed upon. The hosting rights will be open to member associations in the West region of the AFC.

China was set to be the host for AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022, however the Chinese Football Association has told the AFC that it will be unable to stage the tournament. China is also due to host the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The AFC said that it intends for the AFC U23 Asian Cup (in non-Olympic years) to be hosted by the country staging the next AFC Asian Cup. The AFC U23 Asian Cup will act as a preparatory competition for the host nation.

During the meeting the Chair of the AFC Competitions Committee, Dr. Tran Quoc Tuan thanked Qatar and the Qatar FA for successfully hosting the recent AFC Champions League (West) and for its preparations for the upcoming AFC Champions League (East).

“We have successfully completed the AFC Champions League in the West and in just a few days, we will kick-off the competition for the East region clubs. Our sincere thanks go to the Qatar Football Association and the Qatar Government as well as our congratulations to the AFC Administration,”.

“They have done an excellent job. I am sure they will build on their expertise to stage an outstanding tournament, including the Final on December 19. At all times the safety and health of all the players, teams and officials have been and remain our priority.”

The AFC Competitions Committee also confirmed that the AFC U-19 Championship, which was due to take place in Uzbekistan in October 2020 will now be played from March 3 to 20, 2021.

 

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Isabella Mossin awarded Ninja A-League Women Referee of the Year

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Image credit: Football NSW

The youngest recipient since its inception, Mossin will officially receive the award after leading the Ninja A-League Grand Final 2026 on Saturday.

 

A rapid rise

After debuting in 2023, Mossin has quickly proved quality, composure and confidence as a referee in the Ninja A-League.

As a result of the achievement, Mossin will be the appointed referee for this weekend’s Grand Final between Melbourne City FC and Wellington Phoenix.

After beginning in the North West Sydney Football Association, Mossin then honed her craft with the Football NSW Referee Academy, a journey with foundations truly embedded in youth development and grassroots football.

Thus, Mossin is not just am individual success story, but a symbol of what institutional investment and opportunities can do for young women looking for a pathway to the game.

 

Celebrating success

The plaudits, unsurprisngly, are arriving from across Australia’s football landscape, with many emphasising the incredible standards set by Mossin since her debut just three years ago.

“This award is testament to Isabella’s hard work and dedication to refereeing, and a great reflection of the next generation of referees coming through the system in Australia,” said A-Leagues CEO, Steve Rosich.

“At just 25 years of age, she has consistently demonstrated composure, leadership, strong decision-making and the ability to perform under pressure in some of the biggest matches in the competition,” highlighted Football Australia Head of Referees, Jon Moss.

“Having someone refereeing their first Ninja A-league Women’s Grand Final at the age of 25 years should inspire all girls and young women referees (and potential referees) and show them that age is not a barrier to talent being recognised within Football Australia refereeing,” said Chair of Football Australia Referee Committee, David Elleray.

Given Mossin’s reputation and experience already at the top level of women’s football in Australia, there is no doubt that she will rise to the occasion this Saturday.

Female Football Week kicks off across Northern NSW

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Image Credit: Shutterstock

Female Football Week has officially begun across Northern NSW, with a program of gala days, networking events and awards ceremonies running until Sunday May 17, marking a ten-day celebration that organisers say reflects both the growth of women’s football in the region and the work still required to sustain it.

The national initiative, now a fixture on the football calendar, provides a dedicated period of visibility for female participants across all levels of the game from players, coaches, referees to volunteers, whose contributions have historically received less recognition than their male counterparts.

NNSWF Participation and Women’s Football Officer Serena Carter said the week offered something for everyone connected to women’s football in the region.

“Female Football Week provides a fantastic chance to highlight the dedication and skill of female players, coaches, referees and volunteers across the northern NSW community,” Carter said. “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from grassroots participants to elite competitors.”

Women’s football in northern NSW spans remote and regional communities where clubs operate on limited resources, alongside more established metropolitan programs with clearer development pathways. Female Football Week creates a moment of shared recognition across that spectrum and acknowledges the role volunteers play, from running the canteen to progressing through the pathway.

Northern NSW Football has recorded some of its strongest participation numbers in women’s and girls’ football in recent seasons, a trend that has placed increasing pressure on clubs and facilities to keep pace. The week’s events offer clubs an opportunity to showcase their commitment to diversity and inclusion at a time when that commitment is being tested by growth.

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