The first-ever International Airlines Football Championship (AFC) 2026 officially got underway today with the captains' meeting, trophy unveiling and fixture draw, setting the stage for the two-day futsal tournament beginning on July 3. The ceremony was held at Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan ahead of the tournament, which will be played under the theme 'One Sky, One Field, One Champion', at the Gulshan Youth Club Turf Ground on July 3 and 4.
Tournament Details
A total of 16 domestic and international airlines will participate in the championship, organised by the Aviation and Tourism Journalists' Forum of Bangladesh (ATJFB), the country's only association of aviation and tourism journalists. Bangladesh national footballer Topu Barman and former national football team captain and striker Zahid Hasan Ameli unveiled the championship trophy and conducted the fixture draw during the captains' meeting.
Match Fixtures
According to the draw, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will face Ethiopian Airlines, Air Arabia will take on flydubai, Qatar Airways will meet AirAsia, and Saudia will play Turkish Airlines in the Round of 16 matches on July 3. The remaining first-round fixtures will feature Silk Way West Airlines against Thai Airways, Emirates versus Air India, IndiGo against NOVOAIR, and US-Bangla Airlines taking on Air Astra.
Event Schedule
The quarter-finals will also be played on July 3, while the semi-finals, third-place playoff and final are scheduled for July 4. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroz Khanam Rita will attend the tournament as the chief guest.
Sponsors and Partners
Envoy-Sheltech Aviation is the title sponsor, while VIP Motors is the powered-by sponsor. The co-sponsors of AFC 2026 are Mutual Trust Bank, FirstTrip, Work Station and Pleiades Bangladesh Limited (PBL). Dhaka Airlines Club has joined the tournament as the strategic partner, Travelport as the hydration partner, and Waadaa Insure as the injury insurance partner, Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan as the hospitality partner and Aviation Express as the media partner.
Significance for Bangladesh
This unique tournament not only promotes sportsmanship and friendly competition among airlines but also highlights Bangladesh's growing role in the global aviation industry. The event is expected to attract ambassadors, high commissioners from different countries, airline country managers, officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), and senior stakeholders of the aviation industry.






























