Qualifiers - Group I: Hong Kong, China 1-0 Guam; UAE 2-3 IR Iran

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Qualifiers - Group I: Hong Kong, China 1-0 Guam; UAE 2-3 IR Iran

Abu Dhabi: Islamic Republic of Iran held off a fightback from the United Arab Emirates to top Group I of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Group I with a 3-2 win on Tuesday.

Iran will make a return to the Finals after having missed out on the 2024 edition, with UAE also going through as one of the four best runners-up.

Hong Kong, China, meanwhile, rode their luck to come away with a 1-0 victory against Guam for their first points of the Qualifiers.

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Qualifiers - Matchday Three: Results & Reports

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Qualifiers - Matchday Three: Results & Reports

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 was finalised following the conclusion of the Qualifiers on Tuesday.

The 11 group winners and four best runners-up overall join hosts Saudi Arabia at the Finals, which will be played on January 7 to 25, 2026.
 
The draw is scheduled for October 2, 2025 so stay with the-AFC.com for all the latest news.

Qualifiers - Group F: Thailand 2-1 Malaysia; Lebanon 3-0 Mongolia

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Qualifiers - Group F: Thailand 2-1 Malaysia; Lebanon 3-0 Mongolia

Pathum Thani: Thailand showed nerves of steel to edge Malaysia 2-1 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Group F tie on Tuesday.

Victory sees Thailand take top spot with seven points, ahead of Lebanon on goal difference, who defeated Mongolia 3-0.

Qualifiers - Group E: Uzbekistan 2-1 Palestine; Kyrgyz Republic 6-0 Sri Lanka

Wed, 10 Sep, 2025

Qualifiers - Group E: Uzbekistan 2-1 Palestine; Kyrgyz Republic 6-0 Sri Lanka

Bishkek: Kyrgyz Republic secured top spot in Group E and a place at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Finals on Tuesday with a 6-0 victory over Sri Lanka in Bishkek while former champions Uzbekistan took second in the standings with a 2-1 win against Palestine.

The results mean Kyrgyz Republic finish in first place on goal difference ahead of their Central Asian neighbours, who also have seven points and must wait until the completion of the group phase to learn if they will advance as one of the four best runners-up.

Qualifiers - Group J: Laos 3-1 Macau; Korea Republic 1-0 Indonesia

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Qualifiers - Group J: Laos 3-1 Macau; Korea Republic 1-0 Indonesia

Sidoarjo: Korea Republic qualified for the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 after defeating Indonesia 1-0 in an entertaining, fast-paced match at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium on Tuesday.

A sixth minute goal from Hwang Do-yun was enough to give the 2020 champions maximum points in Group J from three matches, with Indonesia second on four points.

Laos, meanwhile, overpowered Macau 3-1 in their final Group J clash to close their campaign with one win from three matches.

Qualifiers - Group B: Myanmar 1-2 Afghanistan; Japan 6-1 Kuwait

Tue, 09 Sep, 2025

Qualifiers - Group B: Myanmar 1-2 Afghanistan; Japan 6-1 Kuwait

Yangon: Defending champions Japan advanced to the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026, topping Group B of the Qualifiers with a 6-1 win against Kuwait on Tuesday.

Stung by an early Kuwait goal, Japan turned on the power to advance to the Finals in resounding fashion.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, finished third after claiming a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Myanmar.