The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) revealed the format for the upcoming AFC U-17 Championship 2026 on Thursday, during the official draw ceremony held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The draw produced some exciting and challenging matchups, presenting Arab teams with a real test as they vie for the continental title and a place in the global tournament.
Group details and tournament path
The 16 qualified teams were divided into four balanced groups, with Saudi Arabia hosting the finals from May 5 to 22, 2026. This edition is of exceptional importance as it is the main gateway to qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The results of the draw for the four groups were as follows:
- Group A: This group includes the Saudi Arabian national team (the host nation), along with the national teams of Tajikistan, Thailand, and Myanmar. The "Young Green Falcons" will be looking to capitalize on home advantage and the support of their fans to top the group and recapture the glory of the 1980s when they won the title in 1985 and 1988.
- Group Two: Described as the "Group of Iron," it brings together Japan (multiple-time champions) with Indonesia, China, and Qatar, who previously won the title in 1990, promising fierce competition for the two qualifying spots.
- Group Three: It witnesses a remarkable Arab presence, bringing together the national teams of Yemen and the UAE in a difficult confrontation against the strong Republic of Korea (South Korea) and the developing Vietnam, which puts the Arab teams before a great challenge to pass to the next round.
- Group D: The defending champions, Uzbekistan, faced a tough challenge against Australia, India, and North Korea in an open battle for qualification.
The road to the Qatar 2026 World Cup
The importance of this tournament extends beyond continental glory; it serves as a crucial stepping stone to global recognition. The new age-group tournament format guarantees the top eight finishers direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, to be hosted by Qatar. This significant incentive will ignite fierce competition from the very first round, as reaching the quarterfinals brings the World Cup dream much closer.
The importance of Saudi hosting and the sporting context
Saudi Arabia's hosting of this tournament comes as part of a massive sporting movement underway in the country, and in line with the Kingdom's vision to develop the sports sector and host major events. This tournament is considered an ideal opportunity to discover young Saudi talents and prepare a new generation capable of competing in future events, including the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Furthermore, organizing the tournament in Saudi Arabia reflects the great confidence the Asian Football Confederation places in the Kingdom's organizational capabilities and advanced sports infrastructure.
