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.

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Road to #AFCU23 glory ignites at Saudi Arabia 2026

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

Road to #AFCU23 glory ignites at Saudi Arabia 2026

Kuala Lumpur: All eyes will turn to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a week’s time when the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ gets underway in the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh.

The Continent’s best talents are poised to prove that they can make the next step in their careers at the seventh edition of the tournament, which runs from January 6 to 24.

#AFCU23 Match Predictor adds excitement to Saudi Arabia 2026

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23 Match Predictor adds excitement to Saudi Arabia 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has launched the official AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Match Predictor, now available on the-AFC.com and the AFC LIVE app. 

The #AFCU23 match predictor will add extra excitement as in January 2026, 16 teams drawn into four groups will compete for the silverware at the seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™. Join, predict and win exclusive prizes with #AFCU23 Match Predictor. 
 
The hosts and 2022 champions Saudi Arabia are scheduled to meet the 2018 runners-up Vietnam, while two-time, defending champions Japan face the 2024 hosts Qatar - encounters befitting a tournament of continental stature. 

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.