AFC Awards 2026: FAM Nominated for Member Association of the Year (Gold)
Malaysia faces defending winners HKFA and AIFF as nominees are revealed for Bangkok ceremony on 19 November
The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been nominated for the AFC Member Association of the Year award in the Gold category at the AFC Awards Bangkok 2026, which will take place at the Aksara Theatre King Power, Bangkok on 19 November.
FAM’s rivals in the category are the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) and the All India Football Federation (AIFF). HKFA won the Gold award at last year’s ceremony in Riyadh.
The Member Association of the Year award has four tiers: Platinum, Diamond, Gold and Ruby. Thai media reports say the tiers are based on associations’ rankings in Asia, with Gold covering those ranked 25th to 36th. The AFC says the award recognises associations for sound administration and governance and for developing the game at every level.
FAM arrived on the back of a recognised grassroots effort. At last year’s ceremony it won the AFC President’s Recognition Award for Grassroots Football (Silver), with the AFC pointing to the Liga Suparimau Malaysia, a national league for players aged 5 to 16. Winger Arif Aiman also became the first Malaysian nominated for AFC Player of the Year. On the pitch, Harimau Malaya narrowly missed the FIFA ASEAN Cup final this month, finishing level on points and goal difference with Indonesia but behind on goals scored.
It has also been a turbulent year off the pitch. FAM’s executive committee resigned in February, and the AFC began a review of the association’s administration. In March, the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee ruled that Malaysia fielded ineligible players in two Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Nepal and Vietnam. The committee declared both games 3-0 defeats for Malaysia and fined FAM US$50,000. FAM said it would seek the written reasons for the decision before deciding its next step.
The winner will be announced at the ceremony on 19 November.
Credit Photo : FAM
