Jeddah, November 15, 2025: The road to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 begins on November 22 (Saturday) for 38 sides as they look to secure their place in the 21st edition of the Finals.

Only the seven group winners from the Qualifiers will progress and join the nine AFC representatives from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 that have already qualified: Qatar, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, DPR Korea, Japan, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia. The 38-strong Qualifiers cast will do battle in a single round-robin centralised league format, and 13 sides are aiming to reach the Finals for the first time: Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Lebanon, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Group A

Eyeing a seventh Finals appearance and first since 2006, Bangladesh start their quest at 2pm at the Tonglianglong Stadium in Chongqing, China PR against Timor-Leste, whose sole qualification came in 2010. Brunei Darussalam and Sri Lanka, taking part in the Qualifiers for a 10th and ninth occasion respectively, then clash at 3pm at the Yongchuan Sports Center Stadium. At 7.35pm, two-time champions (1992, 2004) and hosts China PR—seeking a 17th Finals showing—face a Bahrain side aiming to reach an eighth Finals and first since 2008 at the Tonglianglong Stadium.

Group B

Both participating in their 14th Qualifiers, Laos and Guam meet at 3pm at the Alga Sports Complex Stadium in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, with the former targeting a fourth Finals appearance. Also at 3pm, the Kyrgyz Republic kick off their campaign for a second Finals showing, since their 2016 debut, at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium against a Yemen side that has reached the Finals on seven occasions. The same venue then stages a 7pm showdown between Cambodia—contesting their 10th Qualifiers—and Pakistan, whose only Finals appearance came in 2002.

Group C

Hong Kong, China’s sole Finals involvement came in 2014 and their bid for a second starts with an opener against Macau—hoping to notch their first-ever point in qualifying—at 4pm at the Vietnam YFTC Field 3 in Hanoi. Also looking to pick up their first point in their sixth Qualifiers are the Northern Mariana Islands, who open their campaign at 7pm at the Vietnam YFTC Field 3 against Malaysia, who are aiming to reach their seventh Finals. At the same time, Vietnam take to the PVF Stadium pitch—with a 10th Finals appearance and fifth in a row on their minds—to face Singapore, whose most recent qualification—their second—came in 2008.

Group D

Taking part in the Qualifiers for the 10th and 16th time respectively, Lebanon and Chinese Taipei will do battle at the EKA Arena in Ahmedabad, India at 4.30pm. Palestine and hosts India follow suit at 7.30pm, with the latter targeting a 10th qualification. On November 24 at 4.30pm, Chinese Taipei will face 2008 champions Islamic Republic of Iran, who are gunning for a 14th Finals appearance and 11th in a row.

Group E

Bhutan go in search of their maiden qualifying win starting at 4pm at the Aqaba Stadium against hosts Jordan, who last appeared in the Finals in 2018 and will hope to make it to a fourth on home soil. At 7pm, the Philippines commence their 13th Qualifiers campaign against 2016 champions Iraq, who made the last of their 10 prior Final involvements in 2018. Jordan are back in action on November 24 at 4pm against Australia, who are aiming to notch nine successive qualifications in a row.

Group F

Turkmenistan’s goal of a second Finals appearance after their 2008 debut starts with a 3.30pm clash at the Chonburi Stadium against Kuwait, who are hoping to add to their five Finals showings, with the last coming in 2014. The Maldives and Mongolia, contesting the Qualifiers for a 13th and 10th occasion respectively, then meet at 7.30pm. Thailand, the 1998 champions who are targeting a sixth consecutive qualification and 14th overall, then begin their quest on home ground on November 24 at 7.30pm against Mongolia.

Group G

The Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon will be the platform for hosts Myanmar to kickstart their journey at 4pm towards a fifth Finals appearance and first since 2006, with their opponents Afghanistan seeking a fourth showing after qualifying for each of the last three editions. Nepal and Syria were both last involved in the Finals in 2014, and a fourth and seventh qualification respectively is at stake in their 7pm showdown. Two-time winners Oman, who have 11 Finals appearances under their belt, then start their qualification campaign on November 24 at 7pm against Syria.