2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification

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2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
تصفيات كأس آسيا 23 سنة 2026
Tournament details
Host countriesJordan (Group A)
Myanmar (Group B)
Vietnam (Group C)
China (Group D)
Kyrgyzstan (Group E)
Thailand (Group F)
Cambodia (Group G)
Qatar (Group H)
United Arab Emirates (Group I)
Indonesia (Group J)
Tajikistan (Group K)
Dates3–9 September 2025 [1]
Teams44 (from 1 confederation)
Venue(s)11 (in 11 host cities)
Tournament statistics
Matches played66
Goals scored271 (4.11 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Australia (converted).svg Nathanael Blair
Flag of Jordan.svg Odeh Al-Fakhouri
Flag of Iran.svg Kasra Taheri
(5 goals)
2024
2028

The 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification was an international men's under-23 football competition which decided the participating teams of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

Contents

A total of 16 teams qualified to play in the final tournament, including Saudi Arabia who qualified automatically as host country.

Draw

Of the 47 AFC member associations, a total of 44 teams entered the competition.

A draw was held on 29 May 2025, at 15:00 (UTC+8) on the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [2]

The teams were seeded based on a points system derived from their final rankings across the previous three editions of the Finals. Teams that indicated their intention to serve as qualification group hosts before the draw were placed in separate groups. Saudi Arabia automatically qualified for the final tournament as hosts. [3] [4]

Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4
Host pot
Remaining Teams
Did not enter

Eligibility

Players born on or after 1 January 2003 were eligible to participate, in accordance with the age criteria set by the Asian Football Confederation.

Format

The 44 teams were divided into eleven groups of four teams each. In each group, teams played each other once at a centralized venue. The eleven group winners and the four best runners-up qualified for the final tournament. [4]

In each group, teams played each other once at a centralized venue. The eleven group winners and the four best runners-up qualified for the final tournament. [5]

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: [5]

  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 were tied and they met in the last round of the group;
  8. Lower 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

All matches were played between 3 and 9 September 2025.

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan (H)3300191+189 Final tournament
2Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 320183+56
3Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 3102314113
4Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei 3003214120
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg5–1Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Report
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 30
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg11–0Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Report
King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 1,250
Referee: Payam Heydari (Iran)

Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg0–2Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 20
Referee: Mohamed Khaled (Bahrain)
Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg0–6Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan
Report
King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 850
Referee: Nivon Robesh Gamini (Sri Lanka)

Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg1–3Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Report
Jordan  Flag of Jordan.svg2–1Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3300112+99 Final tournament
2Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 31112644
3Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan 31022533
4Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar (H)30122421
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Kuwait  Flag of Kuwait.svg0–0Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 1,800
Referee: Nasrullo Kabirov (Tajikistan)
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg3–0Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 340
Referee: Tuan Yaasin (Malaysia)

Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg1–2Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 7,300
Referee: Veronika Bernatskaia (Kyrgyzstan)
Afghanistan  Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg0–1Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 37
Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)

Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg1–2Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 952
Referee: Mohamad Issa (Lebanon)
Japan  Flag of Japan.svg6–1Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait
Report

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam (H)330040+49 Final tournament
2Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 320132+16
3Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 31024403
4Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 30032750
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Yemen  Flag of Yemen.svg2–1Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Report
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 322
Referee: Yahya Ahmed Al-Balushi (Oman)
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg2–0Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 3,019
Referee: Resul Mämmedow (Turkmenistan)

Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg0–1Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
Report
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 365
Referee: Amir Arab Baraghi (Iran)
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg0–1Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam
Report
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 6,046
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai (South Korea)

Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg1–4Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 459
Referee: Resul Mämmedow (Turkmenistan)
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg1–0Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
Report

Group D

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 3210200+207 Final tournament
2Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China (H)3210121+117
3Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste 31027813
4Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands 3003030300
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg14–0Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands
Report
Xi'an Sports Training Center Pitch 1, Xi'an
Attendance: 89
Referee: Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain)
China  Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg2–1Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report
Xi'an International Football Center, Xi'an
Attendance: 23,802
Referee: Chae Sang-hyeop (South Korea)

Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg0–6Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Report
Xi'an Sports Training Center Pitch 1, Xi'an
Attendance: 120
Referee: Venkatesh Ramachandran (India)
Northern Mariana Islands  Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg0–10Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Xi'an International Football Center, Xi'an
Attendance: 30,982
Referee: Wiwat Jumpao-on (Thailand)

Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg6–0Flag of the Northern Mariana Islands.svg  Northern Mariana Islands
Report
Xi'an Sports Training Center Pitch 1, Xi'an, Xi'an
Attendance: 69
Referee: Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain)
Australia  Flag of Australia (converted).svg0–0Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China
Report
Xi'an International Football Center, Xi'an
Attendance: 33,022
Referee: Asker Nadjafaliev (Uzbekistan)

Group E

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan (H)3210103+77 Final tournament
2Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 321083+57
3Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 310274+33
4Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 3003015150
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg4–0Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 50
Referee: Du Jianxin (China)
Palestine  Flag of Palestine.svg1–2Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 7,113
Referee: Abdullah Al Shehri (Saudi Arabia)

Sri Lanka  Flag of Sri Lanka.svg0–5Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 45
Referee: Ahmad Ibrahim Yacoub (Jordan)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg2–2Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 9,547
Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman)

Uzbekistan  Flag of Uzbekistan.svg2–1Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 50
Referee: Ahmad Alaeddin (Lebanon)
Kyrgyzstan  Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg6–0Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Referee: Du Jianxin (China)

Group F

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand (H)3210103+77 Final tournament
2Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 321062+47
3Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 310283+53
4Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 3003016160
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg0–1Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report El Fadl Soccerball shade.svg84'
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 40
Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg6–0Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia
Report
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 1,013
Referee: Mohammed Kanah (Syria)

Mongolia  Flag of Mongolia.svg0–7Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 126
Referee: Sultan Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg2–2Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Report
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 1,366
Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Ruaile (Qatar)

Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg3–0Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia
Report
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 75
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg2–1Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report

Group G

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 321091+87 Final tournament
2Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia (H)312010+15
3Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 31111104
4Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 300311090
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg8–1Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 325
Referee: Hanna Hattab (Syria)
Cambodia  Flag of Cambodia.svg0–0Flag of Oman.svg  Oman
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 1,578
Referee: Mohammed Al-Shammari (Qatar)

Oman  Flag of Oman.svg0–1Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 349
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara (Japan)
Pakistan  Flag of Pakistan.svg0–1Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 3,059
Referee: Dong Fangyu (China)

Oman  Flag of Oman.svg1–0Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 356
Referee: Meder Tayçiev (Kyrgyzstan)
Iraq  Flag of Iraq.svg0–0Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Referee: Mohammed Al-Shammari (Qatar)

Group H

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar (H)3300172+159 Final tournament
2Flag of India.svg  India 320192+76
3Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 3102114+73
4Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei 3003029290
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Bahrain  Flag of Bahrain.svg0–2Flag of India.svg  India
Report
Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 112
Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (South Korea)
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg13–0Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 204
Referee: Faisal Al-Balawi (Saudi Arabia)

Brunei  Flag of Brunei.svg0–10Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report
Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 50
Referee: Mohammad Ghabayen (Jordan)
India  Flag of India.svg1–2Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar
Report
Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 1,143
Referee: Adam Kersey (Australia)

India  Flag of India.svg6–0Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Qatar  Flag of Qatar.svg2–1Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain
Report

Group I

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 3300132+119 Final tournament
2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates (H)3201173+146
3Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 31021653
4Flag of Guam.svg  Guam 3003020200
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Iran  Flag of Iran.svg4–0Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 145
Referee: Kim Yu-jeong (South Korea)
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg13–0Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Report
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 271
Referee: Muath Owfi (Palestine)

Guam  Flag of Guam.svg0–6Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 70
Referee: Sashanka Madushanka (Sri Lanka)
Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg0–2Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates
Report
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 254
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)

Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg1–0Flag of Guam.svg  Guam
Report
United Arab Emirates  Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg2–3Flag of Iran.svg  Iran
Report

Group J

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 3300130+139 Final tournament
2Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia (H)311151+44
3Flag of Laos.svg  Laos 31113854
4Flag of Macau.svg  Macau 3003113120
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg5–0Flag of Macau.svg  Macau
Report
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 106
Referee: Lê Thị Ly (Vietnam)
Indonesia  Flag of Indonesia.svg0–0Flag of Laos.svg  Laos
Report
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 5,238
Referee: Mohamed Jafran (Sri Lanka)

Laos  Flag of Laos.svg0–7Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Report
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 249
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
Macau  Flag of Macau.svg0–5Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report

Laos  Flag of Laos.svg3–1Flag of Macau.svg  Macau
Report
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 168
Referee: Lê Thị Ly (Vietnam)
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg1–0Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia
Report

Group K

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria 330073+49 Final tournament
2Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 320162+46
3Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan (H)310242+23
4Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 3003212100
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Syria  Flag of Syria (2025-).svg2–1Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Report
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 44
Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates)
Tajikistan  Flag of Tajikistan.svg4–0Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 4,822
Referee: Ahmad A'Qashah (Singapore)

Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg2–4Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 200
Referee: Akobirkhuja Shukurullaev (Uzbekistan)
Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg1–0Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan
Report
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 5,340
Referee: Harish Kundu (India)

Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg4–0Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Tajikistan  Flag of Tajikistan.svg0–1Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report

Ranking of second-placed teams

The four best-ranked runners-up also qualified for the final tournament.

PosGrpTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 D Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 3210121+117 Final tournament
2 E Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 321083+57
3 F Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 321062+47
4 I Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 3201173+146
5 H Flag of India.svg  India 320192+76
6 A Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 320183+56
7 K Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 320162+46
8 C Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 320132+16
9 G Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 312010+15
10 J Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 311151+44
11 B Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 31112644
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) disciplinary points; 5) drawing of lots. [6]

Goalscorers

There were 271 goals scored in 66 matches, for an average of 4.11 goals per match.

5 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Qualified teams

The following teams qualified for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

See also

Notes

  1. The match, originally scheduled for 19:30, was delayed until 21:00 due to heavy rain.

References

  1. "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)" (PDF). AFC. 11 April 2025.
  2. "Asian Football Calendar (March 2025 – February 2026)". AFC. February 2025.
  3. "马德兴:U23亚洲杯分档敲定,中国队二档身份难避种子强队". Hupu.com. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  4. 1 2 "#AFCU23 draw to set stage for Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 "AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 Competition Regulations" (PDF). AFC. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  6. "AFC Competition Operations Manual (Edition 2023)" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation.