Know your team: Thailand

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

Know your team: Thailand

Jeddah: Thailand will not be short of confidence when they go into their sixth successive AFC U23 Asian Cup™ challenge in the coming days.

Qualification was secured after topping Group F and Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul’s side will be looking to make a big splash at Saudi Arabia 2026.

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Know your team: Australia

Tue, 30 Dec, 2025

Know your team: Australia

Jeddah: Australia will be determined to put their group stage exit in the previous edition behind them by shining at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™.

The Olyroos missed out on the quarter-finals in 2024 after finishing third in their group, their exit prompted by goalless draws against Qatar and Jordan and losing 1-0 to Indonesia. 

Know your team: Iraq

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Know your team: Iraq

Jeddah: Iraq will head to the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 aiming to better their run to semi-finals at the previous edition.

Champions in 2013, Iraq once again showed their pedigree by finishing third at Qatar 2024, their best result in nearly a decade.

Know your team: Lebanon

Sun, 28 Dec, 2025

Know your team: Lebanon

Jeddah: Lebanon will look to go one better than AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ debutants Indonesia when they make their Finals bow at Saudi Arabia 2026.

Indonesia finished fourth in the last edition, and Lebanon will aim to be even more impressive after booking their ticket to the Finals with a valiant qualifying campaign.

Know your team: IR Iran

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

Know your team: IR Iran

Jeddah: Islamic Republic of Iran’s perfect showing in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Qualifiers will give them confidence of making an impact in the Finals, with the Central Asian nation aiming to lift the trophy for the first time.

Iran topped Group I after defeating United Arab Emirates, Guam and Hong Kong, China, scoring 13 goals and conceding just two to book their fifth appearance in the continental showcase.

Know your team: Korea Republic

Fri, 26 Dec, 2025

Know your team: Korea Republic

Jeddah: Korea Republic will aim to redeem themselves at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ after exiting at the quarter-final stage of the last two editions.

The 2020 champions and 2016 runners-up, who have not missed a single edition of the Finals, also made the semi-finals in 2013 and 2018.

Their hopes of advancing further in 2022 were dashed when they lost 3-0 to Japan and then to debutants Indonesia in 2024 after being outgunned in a marathon 11-10 penalty shootout.