Shenhua and Three Institutions Earn AFC Three-Star Academy Certification on Same Day

On July 15, the AFC officially confirmed that the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and Shanghai Shenhua Football Club, Zhejiang Professional Football Club, and Shandong Taishan Football School simultaneously earned the 'AFC Elite Academy Three-Star' membership and 'AFC Three-Star Academy Center' certification. This is the highest honor for Chinese football academies at the AFC level, marking a new stage in Chinese youth football development. Shenhua is also among the first Chinese Super League clubs to achieve this recognition.

Evaluation Covers 11 Core Areas

The AFC's rating system is divided into three tiers: Three-Star, Two-Star, and One-Star. The evaluation criteria cover 11 core areas, including organizational structure, youth training planning, competition systems, coach qualifications and training, talent selection mechanisms, medical rehabilitation, sports science, cultural education, venue facilities, youth training philosophy, and academy construction. For clubs and other youth training entities, the AFC also sets 20 additional standards, including management, team hierarchies, coaching, facilities, and player welfare.

Expert Team Conducts 4-Day On-Site Inspection at Shenhua and Others

In April 2026, the CFA submitted its application for Three-Star membership to the AFC. From June 3 to 8, an AFC expert team conducted on-site inspections in Shanghai and Hangzhou. During the visit, the team toured Shanghai Shenhua's facilities, Shanghai's youth football competition system, Zhejiang Professional's operations, and Hangzhou's key youth-related projects, all of which received high praise.

Song Kai: Shenhua's Long-Term Efforts Recognized

Song Kai, chairman of the CFA, stated that the AFC's recognition of the CFA's Elite Academy Three-Star membership, alongside the certification of Shanghai Shenhua, Zhejiang Professional, and Shandong Taishan Football School as AFC Three-Star Academy Centers, fully reflects the years of dedicated efforts by these three institutions in systematic team hierarchy construction, facility upgrades, scientific research and medical support integration, and the implementation of integrated academic and training models. He emphasized that this honor is also a phased achievement in the CFA's commitment to youth football development, continuous optimization of top-level youth training layouts, and collaboration with clubs to build a complete youth training ecosystem.

Certification Valid for 3 Years; Renewal Required

The 'AFC Elite Academy Three-Star' membership certification is valid for 3 years, after which a renewal review is required. The review results will determine whether the certification is upgraded, downgraded, retained, or revoked. This certification success lays a solid foundation for the further development of Chinese youth football.