CAFA aims to develop and strengthen the game of football throughout the region by raising the standards and creating more opportunities for the Member Associations for further growth.

It was reported that AFC President Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa gained politically from the creation of the new zone.

[7] Members of the six nations met with AFC president Sheikh Salman on 10 May 2014 to talk about the possibility of creating a new Asian football zone.

In October 2023, CAFA and AIFF signed a memorandum of understanding which will facilitate the participation of Indian teams in the Central Asian tournaments.

CAFA runs several competitions which cover men's, women's, youth and futsal.