The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers will determine the football teams that will take part in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup. It is a biennial international competition organised by the Asian Football Confederation for the men’s U23 national teams from the continent.
A total of 16 teams will qualify to play in the final tournament, including Saudi Arabia which have qualified automatically as the hosting country.
AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026: Format
The 44 teams are divided into eleven groups of four teams. In each group, teams played each other in a single round robin format at a centralized venue. The eleven group winners and the four best runners-up will qualify for the final tournament.
AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026: Dates
The AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 will be held between January 7 and 25. Japan are the defending AFC U23 Asian Cup champions after beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in the previous edition of the tournament in 2024.
The AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers will take place from September 1 to 11 this year. The official AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers draw ceremony was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.
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AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026: Groups
Jordan (hosts), Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Bhutan have been drawn in Group A, while two-time champions Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar (hosts) and Afghanistan will square off in Group B.
Vietnam (hosts), Yemen, Singapore and Bangladesh will clash in Group C, while Australia, China PR (hosts), Timor-Leste and Northern Mariana Islands will battle it out in Group D.
Group E has 2018 winners Uzbekistan, Palestine, Kyrgyz Republic (hosts) and Sri Lanka pooled together, while Thailand (hosts), Malaysia, Lebanon and Mongolia are cast in Group F.
Iraq have been placed in Group G alongside Cambodia (hosts), Oman and Pakistan, while Group H will see Qatar (hosts), Bahrain, India and Brunei Darussalam lock horns .
Group I comprises of UAE (hosts), Islamic Republic of Iran, Hong Kong, China and Guam drawn, whereas, Group J will see 2020 champions Korea Republic, Indonesia (hosts), Laos and Macau challenging each other while Group K features Tajikistan (hosts), Syria, Philippines and Nepal.
Also Read: Bangladesh Football Team To Host Bhutan, Singapore In June; Check Preliminary Squad
AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers 2026: Draw Result
Group A: Jordan (H), Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, Bhutan
Group B: Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar (H), Afghanistan
Group C: Vietnam (H), Yemen, Singapore, Bangladesh
Group D: Australia, China PR (H), Timor-Leste, Northern Mariana Islands
Group E: Uzbekistan, Palestine, Kyrgyz Republic (H), Sri Lanka
Group F: Thailand (H), Malaysia, Lebanon, Mongolia
Group G: Iraq, Cambodia (H), Oman, Pakistan
Group H: Qatar (H), Bahrain, India, Brunei Darussalam
Group I: UAE (H), IR Iran, Hong Kong, China, Guam
Group J: Korea Republic, Indonesia (H), Laos, Macau
Group K: Tajikistan (H), Syria, Philippines, Nepal
