Photo: Collected

DHAKA, July 1, 2026 (BSS) - 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.

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.

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.

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.

Ambassadors and high commissioners from different countries, airline country 
managers, officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), and 
senior stakeholders of the aviation industry are also expected to attend the 
two-day event.

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.