2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualification

Last updated
2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualification
Tournament details
Host countriesBhutan (Group A)
Vietnam (Group B)
Tajikistan (Group C)
Myanmar (Group D)
China (Group E)
Malaysia (Group F)
Uzbekistan (Group G)
Laos (Group H)
Dates6–10 August 2025
Teams33 (from 1 confederation)
Venue(s)8 (in 8 host cities)
Tournament statistics
Matches played48
Goals scored249 (5.19 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of North Korea.svg Ho Kyong
(8 goals)
2024
2028

The 2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualification was a women's under-20 football competition that determined the participating teams in the 2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup final tournament.

Contents

A total of 12 teams qualified to play in the final tournament, with the host country qualifying automatically. The qualifying round was held between 6 and 10 August 2025. [1] [2]

Draw

The draw was held on 28 April 2025, 15:00 in Malaysia. [3]

Of the 47 AFC member associations, a total of 33 teams entered the competition. Unlike the previous edition, there was no automatic qualification for the final tournament by their position from the last tournament; all teams excluding the host participated in qualification. The 33 teams were divided into eight groups, seven groups of four teams and one group of five. The teams were seeded based on a points system derived from their final rankings across the previous three editions of the Finals. [3]

Thailand automatically qualified for the final tournament as hosts.

Teams entering qualifying round
Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4Pot 5 (unranked)
Host pot
Remaining teams
Notes
Did not enter

Format

Tiebreakers

Teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 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 two or more teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are 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 are tied and they meet 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.

Groups

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 3300360+369 Final tournament
2Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 3111212104
3Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 3102217153
4Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan (H)3012213111
5Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 00000000Withdrew
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg15–0Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Referee: Azusa Sugino (Japan)
Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg1–1Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Senu Pariyar Soccerball shade.svg1' Report Keld. Wangmo Soccerball shade.svg18'
Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Referee: Lê Thị Ly (Vietnam)

Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg0–1Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report Sukriya Miya Soccerball shade.svg89'
Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Referee: Azusa Sugino (Japan)
Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg0–10Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea
Report
Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Referee: Yang Shu-ting (Chinese Taipei)

North Korea  Flag of North Korea.svg11–0Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Referee: Yang Shu-ting (Chinese Taipei)
Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg1–2Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia
Report
Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Referee: Supiree Testhomya (Thailand)

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam (H)3300140+149 Final tournament
2Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 32015836
3Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan 31022533
4Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 30031980
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg1–2Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, Hanoi
Referee: Ranjita Devi Teckham (India)

Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg0–1Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report

Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg3–1Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Report
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg3–0Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 3300200+209 Final tournament
2Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei 320173+46
3Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 31022753
4Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan (H)3003019190
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg4–0Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Kao Hsin Soccerball shade.svg38'
Fu Chih-Ling Soccerball shade.svg50', 62', 50'
Report
Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe
Referee: Haneen Murad (Jordan)
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg14–0Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan
Report
Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe
Referee: Dong Fangyu (China)

Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg0–3Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe
Referee: Haruna Kanematsu (Japan)
Tajikistan  Flag of Tajikistan.svg0–3Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Report Kao Hsin Soccerball shade.svg6', 29'
Li Chun-Mei Soccerball shade.svg61'
Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe
Referee: Cha Min-ji (South Korea)

Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg3–0Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Lin Szu-ying Soccerball shade.svg37' (o.g.)
Halmarick Soccerball shade.svg64', 76'
Report
Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe
Referee: Dong Fangyu (China)
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg2–0Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan
Abuasfar Soccerball shade.svg36', 76' Report
Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe
Referee: Mahnaz Zokaee (Iran)

Group D

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of India.svg  India 321080+87 Final tournament
2Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 312062+45
3Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar (H)311184+44
4Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 3003117160
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg6–1Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Park Se-jin (South Korea)
India  Flag of India.svg0–0Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Nurul Ain Izatty Zainal (Malaysia)

Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg2–2Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Asaka Koizumi (Japan)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg0–7Flag of India.svg  India
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Sunita Thongthawin (Thailand)

Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg0–1Flag of India.svg  India
Report Pooja Soccerball shade.svg27'
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Referee: Nurul Ain Izatty Zainal (Malaysia)
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg4–0Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report

Group E

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (H)3300210+219 Final tournament
2Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 32013966
3Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria 30121871
4Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 30120881
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg1–0Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia
Report
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg6–0Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
Helan Mountain Stadium, Yinchuan
Referee: Esraa Almbaiden (Jordan)

Syria  Flag of Syria (2025-).svg1–2Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Cambodia  Flag of Cambodia.svg0–7Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Helan Mountain Stadium, Yinchuan
Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (South Korea)

Cambodia  Flag of Cambodia.svg0–0Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg8–0Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Helan Mountain Stadium, Yinchuan
Referee: Khin Nyein Chan (Myanmar)

Group F

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3300320+329 Final tournament
2Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 320151166
3Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia (H)3102219173
4Flag of Guam.svg  Guam 30030990
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg5–0Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Report
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Referee: Mu Mingxin (China)
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg3–0Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Referee: Veronika Bernatskaia (Kyrgyzstan)

Guam  Flag of Guam.svg0–2Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Referee: Alesar Baddour (Syria)
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg0–16Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Referee: Pansa Chaisanit (Thailand)

Japan  Flag of Japan.svg11–0Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Referee: Veronika Bernatskaia (Kyrgyzstan)
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg2–0Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Report
Kuala Lumpur Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Referee: Mu Mingxin (China)

Group G

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan (H)3210193+167 Final tournament
2Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 3210154+117
3Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands 3102414103
4Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 3003017170
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg6–1Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands
Report
Do'stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Referee: Bùi Thị Thu Trang (Vietnam)
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg8–0Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
Do'stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Referee: Isabella Blaess (Australia)

Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg0–6Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Do'stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Referee: Law Bik Chi (Hong Kong)
Northern Mariana Islands  Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg0–8Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report
Do'stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Referee: Keomany Phengmeuangkhoun (Laos)

Northern Mariana Islands  Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg3–0Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
Do'stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Referee: Bùi Thị Thu Trang (Vietnam)
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg3–3Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
Do'stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Referee: Isabella Blaess (Australia)

Group H

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 3300161+159 Final tournament
2Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 3201127+56
3Flag of Laos.svg  Laos (H)31023413
4Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste 3003019190
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg9–0Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Referee: Trần Thị Thanh (Vietnam)
Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg3–1Flag of Laos.svg  Laos
Report
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Referee: Fatemeh Nasiri (Iran)

Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg0–8Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Referee: Roziyabonu Yusupova (Uzbekistan)
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg0–1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Referee: Anjana Rai (Nepal)

South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg6–1Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Referee: Anjana Rai (Nepal)
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg2–0Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report

Ranking of second-placed teams

PosGrpTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 G Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 3210154+117 Final tournament
2 H Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 3201127+56
3 C Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei 320173+46
4 B Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 32015836
5 F Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 320151166
6 E Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 32013966
7 D Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 312062+45
8 A Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 3111212104
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers

Qualified teams

The following 12 teams qualified for the final tournament.

TeamMethod of qualificationDate of qualificationApp.LastPrevious best performancePrevious appearances in AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand Hosts14 April 2025
8th
Fourth place (2004)7 (2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2015, 2017, 2019 )
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea Group A winners10 August 2025
12th
Champions (2007, 2024)11 (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007 , 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2024 )
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam Group B winners
7th
Quarter-finalists (2004)6 (2004, 2009, 2011 , 2017, 2019, 2024)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Group C winners
10th
Third place (2006, 2024)9 (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2024)
Flag of India.svg  India Group D winners
4th
Quarter-finalists (2004)3 ( 2002 , 2004, 2006)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Group E winners
12th
Champions (2006)11 (2002, 2004 , 2006 , 2007 , 2009 , 2011, 2013 , 2015 , 2017 , 2019, 2024)
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Group F winners
12th
Champions (2002, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019)11 ( 2002 , 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009 , 2011 , 2013, 2015 , 2017 , 2019 , 2024)
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan Group G winners
6th
Group stage (2002, 2004, 2015, 2017, 2024)5 (2002, 2004, 2015, 2017, 2024)
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Group H winners
12th
Champions (2004, 2013)11 (2002, 2004 , 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 , 2015, 2017, 2019, 2024)
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan Best runners-up
2nd
Group stage (2006)1 (2006)
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 2nd best runners-up
1st
Debut
Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei 3rd best runners-up
6th
Runners-up (2002)5 (2002, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2024)
Key

Bold indicates champions for that year. Italic indicates hosts for that year.

See also

References

  1. "AFC unveils breakthrough reforms to strengthen Women's National Team Competitions". the-AFC. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  2. "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)" (PDF). AFC. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  3. 1 2 "#U20WAC Qualifiers draw to set stage for Asia's rising stars". the-AFC. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  4. "AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup™ 2026 – Competition Regulations" (PDF). AFC.