New South Wales will become a hub for player advocacy, staff development and women’s football leadership throughout the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, with FIFPRO Asia/Oceania and FIFPRO hosting three major events that will bring together unions, players and experts from across the globe during March.

Next week Sydney will play host to FIFPRO Asia/Oceania’s annual General Assembly on 9-10 March, while a FIFPRO Organising Training event will be held in the Blue Mountains across 11-13 March.

Last year’s FIFPRO Asia/Oceania’s annual General Assembly was held in Tokyo, Japan (pictured above).

FIFPRO’s events will conclude with the first ever Women’s Football Summit to be held in Australia on 15 and 16 March, before many of the global guests will attend the PFA’s Alex Tobin Medal on the evening of the 16th.

The events provide an opportunity to advance dialogue on the global football landscape, player rights, professionalisation, stakeholder collaboration and player organising, while also delivering meaningful development opportunities for staff and union leaders.

Notable international guests who will attend the events include:

  • FIFPRO Secretary General Alex Phillips
  • FIFPRO Vice President, Camilia Garcia
  • FIFPRO Board Member, Takuya Yamazaki
  • FIFPRO Director Women’s Football, Alex Culvin
  • FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Secretary General, Shoko Tsuji
  • FIFPRO Africa Secretary General, Kgosana Masaseng
  • World Players Association Executive Director, Walter Palmer
  • U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association Executive Director, Becca Roux
  • Major League Soccer Players Association Executive Director, Bob Foose

The PFA is a member union of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania and will help facilitate the events held in New South Wales. PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch is also the President of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania.

Here’s a snapshot of the events that will take place across March. 

FIFPRO Asia/Oceania General Assembly 

Monday 9 – Tuesday 10 March | Sydney 

The FIFPRO Asia/Oceania General Assembly will bring together member and observer unions from across the Asia and Oceania for two days of formal decision‑making, stakeholder engagement and regional collaboration. 

Timed to coincide with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the Assembly provides a platform to elevate player perspectives and reinforce collective advocacy on issues shaping the future of women’s football, including conditions, governance and long‑term professionalisation. 

FIFPRO Organising Training 

Wednesday 11 – Friday 13 March | Blue Mountains 

Following the General Assembly, FIFPRO Organising Training will deliver three days of intensive professional development for union staff.  Developed by FIFPRO’s Union and Player Relations team, the program equips participants with practical organising tools to mobilise players, build collective power and drive change, drawing on proven organising models adapted specifically for football. 

For the PFA and visiting unions alike, the training represents a significant investment in staff capability building, strengthening the region’s ability to support players at both domestic and international levels. 

FIFPRO Women’s Football Summit 

Sunday 15 – Monday 16 March | Sydney 

The FIFPRO Women’s Football Summit will convene unions, players and industry experts committed to shaping a sustainable future for professional women’s football across two days.

The Summit will explore innovation, commercialisation and structural reform, with a strong regional lens on Asia and Oceania. Discussions will build on ongoing FIFPRO advocacy around equal conditions, prize money and pathways, reinforcing women players’ voices at a pivotal moment for the game. 

PFA Alex Tobin OAM Medal 

Monday 16 March | Sydney 

The PFA Alex Tobin OAM Medal gala event will close out the events, where Matildas legend Lydia Williams will be recognised for her outstanding contribution and leadership to Australian professional football.