AFC Awards 2025: North Korea, Japan, and Saudi Arabia Dominate in Riyadh Ceremony

Riyadh hosted the grandest night of Asian football on October 16, 2025, as the AFC Awards Ceremony celebrated the continent’s finest talents. The event, held in Saudi Arabia, recognized remarkable achievements across football and futsal, with North Korea once again dominating the women’s categories.

North Korea’s U-20 women’s team coach Ri Song Ho was crowned Coach of the Year after leading his side to victory at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, defeating Colombia in the final. Under his leadership, North Korea also secured the Youth Player (Women) award, where Choe Il Son was recognized for her brilliance. The DPR Korean striker played a vital role in lifting both the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups, marking an extraordinary year for the nation.

South Korea also had a proud moment as Lee Kang-in was named Best International Player (Men). The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder played a crucial role in the French club’s historic season, claiming the UEFA Champions League, Ligue 1, Coupe de France, and UEFA Super Cup titles, while also reaching the FIFA Club World Cup Final.

Japan, another powerhouse of Asian football, claimed two major honors. Hana Takahashi won the Women’s Player of the Year award after an exceptional season with Urawa Reds. Although the competition was tight—with Holly McNamara (Australia) and Wang Shuang (China PR) also in contention—Takahashi’s consistent performances secured her the prestigious prize.

Japan’s second win came through Maika Hamano, who earned the Best International Player (Women) award. Hamano impressed during her loan spell at Hammarby IF in Sweden’s top flight and now represents Chelsea in the FA Women’s Super League. She triumphed over fellow nominees Yui Hasegawa (Japan) and Stephanie Catley (Australia).

The host nation, Saudi Arabia, also celebrated a significant victory as Salem Al-Dawsari was named AFC Player of the Year. The Al Hilal forward finished as the top scorer in the AFC Champions League Elite and played a key role in his team’s Club World Cup quarter-final run. Domestically, he led the league with 15 assists, underlining his exceptional influence on and off the ball.

The awards extended beyond football to recognize futsal excellence. Iranian star Salar Aghapour was honored as the Futsal Player of the Year for his vital contribution to Iran’s triumph at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup. Meanwhile, Marizyeh Jafari received the Women’s Coach of the Year award for guiding the Iranian women’s side to an outstanding campaign at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Finally, Australia found success through young talent Alex Badolato, who was named Youth Player of the Year (Men). The forward’s impressive performances at the U-20 Asian Cup, particularly in the quarter-final comeback and final stages, made him one of Asia’s brightest emerging prospects.

The 2025 AFC Awards concluded a memorable night in Riyadh, celebrating the diversity, progress, and excellence of Asian football — a testament to the region’s growing influence on the global stage.