2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification

Last updated
2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification
Tournament details
Host countriesFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (Group A)
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan (Group B)
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam (Group C)
Flag of India.svg  India (Group D)
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan (Group E)
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand (Group F)
Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar (Group G)
Dates22–30 November 2025 [1]
Teams38 (from 1 confederation)
Venue10 (in 9 host cities)
Tournament statistics
Matches played85
Goals scored392 (4.61 per match)
2025
2027

The 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification is an international men's under-17 football competition which is being held to decide the participating teams of the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. [1]

Contents

Draw

All 47 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member associations entered the competition. Nine teams including the hosts Saudi Arabia who qualified for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup automatically qualify for the final tournament, [2] while the other 38 teams participate in qualification.

The draw was held on 7 August 2025 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia at 16:00 local time (UTC+8).

The 38 teams were allocated to three groups of six teams and four groups of five teams, with teams seeded based on a points system derived from their final rankings across the previous three editions of the Finals (overall ranking shown in parentheses). A further restriction was also applied, with the seven teams serving as qualification group hosts drawn into separate groups. [3]

Bye to the final tournament
  1. Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
  2. Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia (final tournament hosts)
  3. Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
  4. Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
  5. Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
  6. Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan
  7. Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
  8. Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
  9. Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar (World Cup hosts)
Teams entering the qualification
Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4Pot 5Pot 6
Host teams
  1. Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand (H)
  2. Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (H)
  3. Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam (H)
  1. Flag of India.svg  India (H)
  1. Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar (H)
  2. Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan (H)
  1. Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan (H)
Remaining teams
  1. Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
  2. Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
  3. Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
  4. Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Notes

Groups

Tiebreakers
Teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria were applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings (Regulations Article 7.2): [4]
  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams remain tied and they met in the last round of the group;
  8. Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
  9. Drawing of lots.

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (H)5500420+4215 Final tournament
2Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 5401205+1512
3Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 5302167+99
4Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste 5203423196
5Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 5104617113
6Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei 5005036360
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg5–0Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report
Brunei  Flag of Brunei.svg0–4Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Report
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg0–4Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Tongliang Long Stadium, Chongqing
Attendance: 15,981
Referee: Sajëçon Zajniddinov (Tajikistan)

Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg8–0Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg2–1Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Report
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg14–0Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report
Yongchuan Sports Center, Chongqing
Attendance: 7,117
Referee: Rashid Abdulla Hassan (United Arab Emirates)

Sri Lanka  Flag of Sri Lanka.svg0–5Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg0–3Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg12–0Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Tongliang Long Stadium, Chongqing
Attendance: 13,757
Referee: Harish Kundu (India)

Brunei  Flag of Brunei.svg0–2Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report
Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg2–1Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
Sri Lanka  Flag of Sri Lanka.svg0–8Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Tongliang Long Stadium, Chongqing
Attendance: 15,346
Referee: Iv Tina (Cambodia)

Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg10–0Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg2–1Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Report
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg4–0Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
Tongliang Long Stadium, Chongqing
Attendance: 15,291
Referee: Yahya Al-Balushi (Oman)

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 5500243+2115 Final tournament
2Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 5302199+109 [a]
3Flag of Laos.svg  Laos 5302199+109 [a]
4Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan (H)5302167+99 [a]
5Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 510471583
6Flag of Guam.svg  Guam 5005143420
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 Head-to-head record: Pakistan 3, Laos 3, Kyrgyzstan 3. Head-to-head goal difference: Pakistan +1, Laos 0, Kyrgyzstan –1
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg0–2Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
Report
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg8–0Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Report
Cambodia  Flag of Cambodia.svg1–3Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Ahmad Al-Khalifa (Syria)

Yemen  Flag of Yemen.svg10–0Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Tuan Yaasin Hanafiah (Malaysia)
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg5–1Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia
Report
Dostuk Arena, Besh-Kungoy
Referee: Mohammed Murad Al-Balushi (Oman)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg1–3Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Saif Kamal Aisha (Palestine)

Pakistan  Flag of Pakistan.svg1–2Flag of Laos.svg  Laos
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Mohamed Jafran (Sri Lanka)
Yemen  Flag of Yemen.svg3–0Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia
Report
Dostuk Arena, Besh-Kungoy
Referee: Yūsuke Ohashi (Japan)
Guam  Flag of Guam.svg0–9Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Layth Farhan Faraj (Iraq)

Cambodia  Flag of Cambodia.svg5–1Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Report Sokheang Soccerball shade.svg64' (o.g.)
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Saif Kamal Aisha (Palestine)
Pakistan  Flag of Pakistan.svg1–5Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
Report
Dostuk Arena, Besh-Kungoy
Referee: Tuan Yaasin Hanafiah (Malaysia)
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg2–3Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Mohammed Murad Al-Balushi (Oman)

Guam  Flag of Guam.svg0–11Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Dostuk Arena, Besh-Kungoy
Referee: Ahmad Al-Khalifa (Syria)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg3–0Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Layth Farhan Faraj (Iraq)
Yemen  Flag of Yemen.svg4–2Flag of Laos.svg  Laos
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Yūsuke Ohashi (Japan)

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam (H)5500300+3015 Final tournament
2Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 5401215+1612
3Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 521274+37
4Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 512251165
5Flag of Macau.svg  Macau 511331294
6Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands 5005135340
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg2–0Flag of Macau.svg  Macau
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Ismaeel Fazal (Pakistan)
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg0–6Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam
Report
PVF Stadium, Hưng Yên
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg13–0Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Seo Dong-hwan (South Korea)

Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg1–0Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Saleh Al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg1–1Flag of Macau.svg  Macau
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Daniel Cook (Australia)

Northern Mariana Islands  Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg1–2Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Ismaeel Fazal (Pakistan)
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg2–0Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
PVF Stadium, Hưng Yên
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Macau  Flag of Macau.svg0–5Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Afsheen Naseer (Maldives)

Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg2–1Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Report Aaryan Soccerball shade.svg75'
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Seo Dong-hwan (South Korea)
Macau  Flag of Macau.svg0–4Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam
Report
PVF Stadium, Hưng Yên
Referee: Saleh Al-Ghamdi (Saudi Arabia)
Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg4–0Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Daniel Cook (Australia)

Northern Mariana Islands  Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg0–2Flag of Macau.svg  Macau
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Afsheen Naseer (Maldives)
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg4–0Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report
PVF Stadium, Hưng Yên
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg1–1Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
Vietnam YFTC Field No. 3, Hanoi
Referee: Rustam Choriev (Uzbekistan)

Group D

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of India.svg  India (H)421165+17 [a] Final tournament
2Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 4211104+67 [a]
3Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 413042+26
4Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 41216605
5Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei 401321191
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Head-to-head points: India 3, Iran 0
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg0–0Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Report
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg1–1Flag of India.svg  India
Report

Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg0–5Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg1–1Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report

Iran  Flag of Iran.svg1–1Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
India  Flag of India.svg3–1Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Report

Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg1–3Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
India  Flag of India.svg0–2Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report Assaf Soccerball shade.svg26'
Maakaroun Soccerball shade.svg37'

Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg1–3Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg1–2Flag of India.svg  India
Report

Group E

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 4310133+1010 Final tournament
2Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 422097+28
3Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan (H)4211134+97
4Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 40130991
5Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 4013315121
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg0–5Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg2–3Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report

Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg0–1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg0–0Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Report

Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg2–2Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg3–0Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Report

Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg0–6Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg1–0Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Hareb Soccerball shade.svg86' Report

Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg6–1Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Report
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg3–3Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report

Group F

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand (H)4301164+129 [a] Final tournament
2Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 4301155+109 [a]
3Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 4301113+89 [a]
4Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 4103315123
5Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 4004119180
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 Head-to-head points: Thailand 3, Turkmenistan 3, Kuwait 3. Head-to-head goal difference: Thailand +2, Turkmenistan 0, Kuwait –2
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg0–1Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Ali Reda (Lebanon)
Maldives  Flag of Maldives.svg0–1Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Muath Owfi (Palestine)

Maldives  Flag of Maldives.svg0–6Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Nghiêm Bá Trí (Vietnam)
Mongolia  Flag of Mongolia.svg0–4Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Yousef Al-Sharshani (Qatar)

Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg5–0Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Muath Owfi (Palestine)
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg7–1Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Ahmad Al-Khawaldeh (Jordan)

Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg5–0Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Nghiêm Bá Trí (Vietnam)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg3–2Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Yousef Al-Sharshani (Qatar)

Mongolia  Flag of Mongolia.svg2–6Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Ahmad Al-Khawaldeh (Jordan)
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg3–0Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Referee: Ali Reda (Lebanon)

Group G

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar (H)4310113+810 Final tournament
2Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 4301123+99
3Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria 4211108+27
4Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan 410341063
5Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 4004215130
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg3–1Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Sashanka Madushanka (Sri Lanka)
Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg2–4Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Dawoud Alabdullah (Kuwait)

Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg0–4Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Alongkorn Khonwai (Thailand)
Syria  Flag of Syria (2025-).svg1–3Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Marwan Ali Alsmail (Jordan)

Oman  Flag of Oman.svg5–0Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Taha Kobeisse (Lebanon)
Afghanistan  Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg1–3Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Alongkorn Khonwai (Thailand)

Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg2–0Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Dawoud Alabdullah (Kuwait)
Afghanistan  Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg2–0Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Taha Kobeisse (Lebanon)

Syria  Flag of Syria (2025-).svg2–2Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Marwan Ali Alsmail (Jordan)
Oman  Flag of Oman.svg4–0Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Sashanka Madushanka (Sri Lanka)

Qualified teams

The following 16 teams qualified for the final tournament.

TeamQualified asAppearancePrevious best performance 1
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Hosts and 2025 runners-up
13th
Champions (1985, 1988)
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar World Cup Hosts
12th
Champions (1990)
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 2025 champions
12th
Champions (2012, 2025)
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 2025 semi-finalist
17th
Champions (1986, 2002)
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 2025 semi-finalist
13th
Champions (2010, 2014)
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2025 quarter-finalist
18th
Champions (1994, 2006, 2018, 2023)
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 2025 quarter-finalist
8th
Fourth place (1990)
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 2025 quarter-finalist
9th
Runners-up ( 1990 )
Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 2025 quarter-finalist
6th
Runners-up (2018)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Group A winners
17th
Champions (1992, 2004)
Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen Group B winners
9th
Runners-up (2002)
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam Group C winners
10th
Fourth place ( 2000 )
Flag of India.svg  India Group D winners
10th
Quarter-final (2002, 2018)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Group E winners
9th
Semi-final (2010, 2014, 2018)
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand Group F winners
14th
Champions (1998)
Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar Group G winners
5th
Group stage (1986, 2000, 2002, 2006)
1Italic indicates hosts for that year.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 4 August 2025.
  2. "Daftar 9 Tim Lolos Langsung ke Piala Asia U-17 2026". CNN Indonesia (in Indonesian). 1 July 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  3. "#AFCU17 and #U17WAC hopefuls to discover Qualifiers journey". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
  4. "Competition Regulations AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 25 November 2025.