#AFCU23 Qualifiers kickstart journey to Saudi Arabia 2026

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

#AFCU23 Qualifiers kickstart journey to Saudi Arabia 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The cast of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers will have their sights firmly set on reaching the seventh edition of the tournament when kick-off takes place on September 3 (Wednesday).

A record 44 teams are set to compete in the upcoming edition of the Qualifiers and they have been divided into 11 groups, each to be contested in a single round-robin format in centralised venues. At stake are 15 places in the Finals, to be filled by the 11 group winners and four best runners-up overall, with first-time hosts Saudi Arabia completing the final line-up.

Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers: All you need to know

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers: All you need to know

Kuala Lumpur: Following Thursday's draw, the teams aiming to be at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 can start planning for the Qualifiers, which will be played on September 3-9, 2025.

It promises to be intense and as we wait in anticipation for the Qualifiers, the-AFC.com highlights some interesting facts and figures about the AFC U23 Asian Cup.

Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers groups finalised

Wed, 27 Aug, 2025

Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers groups finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The teams aspiring to vie for the title discovered their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers opponents following the official draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday.

The 44 sides were drawn into 11 groups for the Qualifiers, which will be contested on September 3-9, 2025.

The 11 group winners and four best best-ranked runners-up will join Saudi Arabia, who are hosting the tournament for the first time, in January's Finals.

Lee to lead Korea Republic’s rising stars

Wed, 28 May, 2025

Lee to lead Korea Republic’s rising stars

Kuala Lumpur: Former defender Lee Min-sung has been appointed head coach of the Korea Republic U22 squad, the Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on Tuesday.

Lee will take charge with a key short-term objective of preparing the squad for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 in January, with the official draw for the Qualifiers set to take place in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

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.

#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.