Football Association of Malaysia nominated for AFC Member Association of the Year

The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) has been shortlisted for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Member Association of the Year award in the Gold category. FAM is competing alongside the FA of Hong Kong, China Limited and the All India Football Federation. The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Bangkok on November 19, 2026.

The nomination has drawn significant criticism from fans, journalists, and netizens due to ongoing controversies regarding FAM's governance. Specifically, the association has faced scrutiny over a naturalization scandal involving seven players, where FIFA identified issues with the documentation used to support claims of Malaysian lineage in September 2025.

AFC General Secretary Windsor John stated that the selection panel awards points based on various activities and programs, such as grassroots development and youth competitions. However, questions remain regarding how much weight the assessment places on institutional accountability and whether strong performance in specific programs can offset serious governance weaknesses.