AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 News

#AFCU23: Stars who have shone

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: Stars who have shone

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup™ has a history of showcasing some of the brightest talents on the continent as the players on display look to continue their rise to prominence.

Many of those who have stood out for their countries over the years have gone on to become key performers for their senior national teams and represent some of the biggest clubs in Asia and beyond.

As the seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup approaches its kick-off on January 6, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on some of the other big names to have graced the tournament.

#AFCU23: 2020 revisited

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

#AFCU23: 2020 revisited

Kuala Lumpur: With the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ kicking off in a matter of weeks, we continue our look back at the previous editions of the tournament.

The focus on the latest installment of the series is the 2020 edition, which also offered three spots to the Tokyo Olympics. 

Year in Review: AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024

Tue, 17 Dec, 2024

Year in Review: AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Qatar 2024

Kuala Lumpur: Japan became the first team to emerge two-time champions after lifting the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ title in May.

It was a well deserved triumph for Go Oiwa's side as they added the title to the one won in 2016 while runners-up Uzbekistan and third-placed Iraq joined them in qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Vote for your best goal of #AFCU23

Sun, 05 May, 2024

Vote for your best goal of #AFCU23

Kuala Lumpur:  With the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ having come to a close following Friday’s final, we reflect on some of the best goals from the tournament and ask you, the fans, to select your favourite. 

Long-range screamers, magnificent solo efforts, stunning free-kicks and superb team moves, the sixth edition of one the continent’s premier youth competitions saw goals from all angles and distances to delight lovers of Asian football across the globe. 

Vote for your #AFCU23 NEOM Future Star of the Tournament

Mon, 06 May, 2024

Vote for your #AFCU23 NEOM Future Star of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ bore witness to a showcase of the continent's finest young talents, as they captivated the continent with their skill and tenacity in the battle for the title and places in the Paris Olympics 2024. 

After Japan’s win over Uzbekistan in the final, the-AFC.com now looks back on the competition and asks you, the fans, to determine the standout NEOM Future Star of the Tournament. 
 
We’ve selected six nominees who delivered eye-catching performances throughout the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, so review the list and don’t forget to vote for your favourite NEOM Future Star at the bottom of the article. 

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Sun, 05 May, 2024

#AFCU23 - Facts & Figures

Doha: The curtains came down on the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ with Japan edging Uzbekistan for the title in a closely contested final on Friday.

It was a fitting finale to a tournament that saw thrills and spills in equal measure so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some key takeaways from the tournament.

#AFCU23 champions Japan praised by AFC President

Sat, 04 May, 2024

#AFCU23 champions Japan praised by AFC President

Doha: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated Japan after the young Samurai Blue clinched their second AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title by defeating Uzbekistan 1-0 at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Friday.

Both teams had already sealed berths at the Olympic Games by progressing to the Final, with Japan doing so for a 12th occasion while Uzbekistan created history by achieving their maiden qualification. The pair will be joined by Iraq, who are returning to the international arena for the first time in eight years after defeating Indonesia on Thursday. The latter are now scheduled to battle in the Playoff against Guinea on May 9 in Paris as they seek to end a 68-year absence. 

Kokubo just one of Japan's heroes, says Oiwa

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Kokubo just one of Japan's heroes, says Oiwa

Doha: Go Oiwa said he had faith Leo Kokubo would save Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s injury time penalty before the Japan goalkeeper made the vital intervention that ensured his team reclaimed the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ title with a 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Doha 2024 final on Friday.

Kokubo threw himself to his right to keep out Rakhmonaliev’s strike after Hiroki Sekine had been judged to have handled the ball in the penalty area deep into added time with the Japanese leading through Fuki Yamada’s fine finish.

Kapadze vows Uzbekistan will bounce back

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Kapadze vows Uzbekistan will bounce back

Doha: Despite creating more chances and seeing more of the ball, Uzbekistan suffered heartbreak on Friday in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ final as they went down 1-0 to a clinical Japan side.

Fuki Yamada’s sole goal in the first minute of added time, coupled with a Umarali Rakhmonaliev’s missed penalty, ended the 2018 winners’ hopes of adding a second title, which were high given their perfect record of five wins from five games in the tournament without conceding a single goal heading into this match. 
 
It was also a second loss in as many finals for Timur Kapadze, who was also at the helm when they lost to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 edition, and the 42-year-old head coach admitted that the failure hurt.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup/video/afcu23_|_japan_1_-_0_uzbekistan.html

Fujita named MVP

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Fujita named MVP

Doha: Captain Joel Chima Fujita was named the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Most Valuable Player following Japan's 1-0 defeat of Uzbekistan in the final on Friday.

Fujita, 22, played a pivotal role as Japan became the first team to lift the coveted title a second time.

Iraq's Jasim takes Yili Top Scorer award

Sat, 04 May, 2024

Iraq's Jasim takes Yili Top Scorer award

Doha: Midfielder Ali Jasim won the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Yili Top Scorer award on Friday.

Jasim, 20, scored four goals and made two assists as Iraq qualified for the Paris Olympics.