Asian football fans will turn their attention to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as the Kingdom hosts the opening matches of Group C in the 2026 AFC U-17 Championship qualifiers. The round kicks off with two exciting and competitive encounters. In the first match, South Korea, one of the continent's powerhouses, will face the UAE, who are eager for a strong start (8:30 PM). The second match will see Yemen take on Vietnam in a true test for both teams (8:00 PM).
These qualifiers are of paramount importance as they not only determine the continental champion in this age group, but also serve as the primary gateway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup. This international tournament offers an invaluable opportunity for the rising generation of players to gain experience and compete against the world's best talents, placing added pressure on participating teams to perform at their peak from the opening whistle.
South Korea, a team with a rich history in the tournament, enters with the aim of sending a clear message to all its rivals. As two-time champions, the Taeguk Warriors boast a proven track record of success at the youth level and rely on a well-organized, fast-paced style of play with high technical ability. The Korean team is expected to try and impose its control from the opening minutes, leveraging its extensive experience in such continental tournaments. Meanwhile, the UAE national team is aware of the difficulty of the task at the start of its campaign, but enters the match with great determination to deliver a respectable performance and achieve a positive result. The Emirati team will rely on a tight defensive organization and attempt to exploit quick counter-attacks to surprise its strong opponent.
In the other match, Vietnam, whose football has seen remarkable development at all levels in recent years, faces a balanced challenge against Yemen. The Vietnamese team aims to capitalize on the experience gained from previous participations and reaching advanced stages of the tournament, striving for a perfect start that would place them at the forefront of the competition for one of the two qualifying spots. For its part, the Yemeni team seeks to make a strong impression in this difficult group, drawing inspiration from its historic achievement in the 2002 edition when it finished as runner-up. Despite the challenges, the young Yemeni teams are known for their fighting spirit and ability to pull off upsets, and they hope to replicate this impressive performance and begin their campaign with a positive result to boost their morale.
