Recently, according to information from Iraq UTV, the Japan Football Association (JFA) is seriously considering the possibility of withdrawing from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), in the context of increasingly frustrated with the organization's seemingly unfair management.
Accordingly, a movement in Japan is calling for the establishment of a new federation, possibly called the East Asian Confederation. Several other countries, including Iraq, are said to be ready to consider joining if the plan becomes a reality.
The main reason for the JFA's dissatisfaction comes from the way the AFC organizes tournaments, especially the AFC Champions League Elite - a prestigious club tournament in the continent.
The relocation of all important rounds to Saudi Arabia in the 2024-2025 season has caused disadvantages for East Asian representatives such as Yokohama F. Marinos or Kawasaki Frontale, due to geographical distance and physical problems.
Another controversial case was the withdrawal of Shandong Taishan club halfway out of the tournament, causing the AFC to cancel all results related to this team. That disrupted the rankings and directly affected the Japanese team - Vissel Kobe.
The media believes that in addition to the club level, the Japanese team could also benefit if they leave the AFC. The fact that players playing in Europe often have to travel to Asia greatly affects their performance. If the region is restructured or separated, it can help East Asian teams be more proactive in their competition schedules.
However, the above information originated from an Iranian media channel. Fans are still waiting for more JFA moves in the near future.
