2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification

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The 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification was an international men's under-23 football competition which decided the participating teams of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification
تصفيات كأس آسيا 23 سنة 2026
Tournament details
Host countriesJordan (Group A)
Myanmar (Group B)
Vietnam (Group C)
China (Group D)
Kyrgyzstan (Group E)
Thailand (Group F)
Cambodia (Group G)
Qatar (Group H)
United Arab Emirates (Group I)
Indonesia (Group J)
Tajikistan (Group K)
Dates3–9 September 2025
Teams44 (from 1 confederation)
Venue11 (in 11 host cities)
Tournament statistics
Matches played66
Goals scored271 (4.11 per match)
Top scorer(s) Nathanael Blair
Odeh Al-Fakhouri
Kasra Taheri
(5 goals)
← 2024
2028 →

A total of 16 teams qualified to play in the final tournament, including Saudi Arabia who qualified automatically as host country.

Draw

Of the 47 AFC member associations, a total of 45 teams entered the competition.

A draw was held on 29 May 2025, at 15:00 (UTC+8) on the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The teams were seeded based on a points system derived from their final rankings across the previous three editions of the Finals. Teams that indicated their intention to serve as qualification group hosts before the draw were placed in separate groups. Saudi Arabia automatically qualified for the final tournament as hosts, thus the remaining 44 teams entered the qualification.

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
Host pot
Remaining Teams
  •  Afghanistan (34)
  •  Bangladesh (35)
  •  Mongolia (36)
  •  Guam (37)
  •  Pakistan (38)
  •  Macau (39)
  •    Nepal (40)
  •  Brunei (41)
  •  Sri Lanka (42)
  •  Bhutan (43)
  •  Northern Mariana Islands (44)
Did not enter
  •  Maldives
  •  North Korea

Eligibility

Players born on or after 1 January 2003 were eligible to participate, in accordance with the age criteria set by the Asian Football Confederation.

Format

The 44 teams were divided into eleven groups of four teams each. In each group, teams played each other once at a centralized venue. The eleven group winners and the four best runners-up qualified for the final tournament.

In each group, teams played each other once at a centralized venue. The eleven group winners and the four best runners-up qualified for the final tournament.

Tiebreakers

Teams were ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria were applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings:

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the last round of the group;
  8. Lower disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
  9. Drawing of lots.

Groups

All matches were played between 3 and 9 September 2025.

Group A

  • All matches were held in Jordan.
  • Times listed are UTC+3.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Jordan (H) 3 3 0 0 19 1 +18 9 Final tournament
2  Turkmenistan 3 2 0 1 8 3 +5 6
3  Bhutan 3 1 0 2 3 14 −11 3
4  Chinese Taipei 3 0 0 3 2 14 −12 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Turkmenistan 5–1 Chinese Taipei
  • Meredow 20', 43', 49'
  • Durdyýew 33'
  • Annamyradow 90+2'
 Report
  • Wei Chih-chuan 41'
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 30
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)
Jordan 11–0 Bhutan
  • Al-Fakhouri 3', 48', 56'
  • Sabra 15', 45', 51'
  • Abu Hazeem 18'
  • Al-Saket 79'
  • Al-Samamreh 90'
  • Al-Shanaineh 90+2'
  • Al-Mnayyes 90+4'
 Report
King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 1,250
Referee: Payam Heydari (Iran)
Bhutan 0–2 Turkmenistan
Report
  • Durdyýew 12' (pen.)
  • Meredow 90+3'
Amman International Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 20
Referee: Mohamed Khaled (Bahrain)
Chinese Taipei 0–6 Jordan
Report
  • Al-Saket 32', 52'
  • Al-Fakhouri 36'
  • Al-Azaizeh 43'
  • Abu Hazeem 45+1'
  • Huang Chun-lin 81' (o.g.)
King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 850
Referee: Nivon Robesh Gamini (Sri Lanka)
Chinese Taipei 1–3 Bhutan
  • Lin Chen 33'
 Report
  • Tenzin 62'
  • S. Dorji 81'
  • J. Dorji 90+3'
King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 10
Referee: Payam Heydari (Iran)
Jordan 2–1 Turkmenistan
  • Al-Azaizeh 27'
  • Al-Fakhouri 67' (pen.)
 Report
  • Berenow 90+4'
King Abdullah II Stadium, Amman
Attendance: 950
Referee: Abdullah Jamali (Kuwait)

Group B

  • All matches were held in Myanmar.
  • Times listed are UTC+6:30.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Japan 3 3 0 0 11 2 +9 9 Final tournament
2  Kuwait 3 1 1 1 2 6 −4 4
3  Afghanistan 3 1 0 2 2 5 −3 3
4  Myanmar (H) 3 0 1 2 2 4 −2 1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Kuwait 0–0 Myanmar
Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 1,800
Referee: Nasrullo Kabirov (Tajikistan)
Japan 3–0 Afghanistan
  • Shinkawa 8'
  • Nawata 42'
  • Goto 90+4'
 Report
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 340
Referee: Tuan Yaasin (Malaysia)
Myanmar 1–2 Japan
  • Swan Htet 80'
 Report
  • Okabe 52'
  • Nawata 90+2' (pen.)
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 7,300
Referee: Veronika Bernatskaia (Kyrgyzstan)
Afghanistan 0–1 Kuwait
Report
  • M. Al-Enezi 47'
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 37
Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)
Myanmar 1–2 Afghanistan
  • Swan Htet 40'
 Report
  • Mohammadi 18'
  • Safi 70'
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 952
Referee: Mohamad Issa (Lebanon)
Japan 6–1 Kuwait
  • Kawai 19', 40', 56'
  • Nwadike 32' (pen.)
  • Yada 42'
  • Goto 90+4'
 Report
  • Boodai 10'
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 85
Referee: Tuan Yaasin (Malaysia)

Group C

  • All matches were held in Vietnam.
  • Times listed are UTC+7.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Vietnam (H) 3 3 0 0 4 0 +4 9 Final tournament
2  Yemen 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6
3  Bangladesh 3 1 0 2 4 4 0 3
4  Singapore 3 0 0 3 2 7 −5 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Yemen 2–1 Singapore
  • Ebrahim 20'
  • Masnom 45+2' (pen.)
 Report
  • Louka Tan 80'
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 322
Referee: Yahya Al-Balushi (Oman)
Vietnam 2–0 Bangladesh
  • Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ 16'
  • Viktor Le 84'
 Report
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 3,019
Referee: Resul Mämmedow (Turkmenistan)
Bangladesh 0–1 Yemen
Report
  • Al-Awami 90+4'
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 365
Referee: Amir Arab Baraghi (Iran)
Singapore 0–1 Vietnam
Report
  • Lê Văn Thuận 79'
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 6,046
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai (South Korea)
Singapore 1–4 Bangladesh
  • Khairin 90+1'
 Report
  • Fahamedul 70'
  • Al-Amin 73'
  • Mohsin 80'
  • Morsalin 83'
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 459
Referee: Resul Mämmedow (Turkmenistan)
Vietnam 1–0 Yemen
  • Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn 70'
 Report
Việt Trì Stadium, Việt Trì
Attendance: 6,879
Referee: Thoriq Alkatiri (Indonesia)

Group D

  • All matches were held in China.
  • Times listed are UTC+8.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Australia 3 2 1 0 20 0 +20 7 Final tournament
2  China (H) 3 2 1 0 12 1 +11 7
3  Timor-Leste 3 1 0 2 7 8 −1 3
4  Northern Mariana Islands 3 0 0 3 0 30 −30 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Australia 14–0 Northern Mariana Islands
  • Blair 6', 21', 53', 55'
  • Reec 10', 13'
  • Alagich 17', 44'
  • Dukuly 36', 75'
  • Bozinovski 60'
  • Rawlins 66', 77'
  • Hammond 90+11'
 Report
Xi'an Sports Training Center Pitch 1, Xi'an
Attendance: 89
Referee: Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain)
China 2–1 Timor-Leste
  • Behram 40'
  • Wang Yudong 45'
 Report
  • Freitas 54'
Xi'an International Football Center, Xi'an
Attendance: 23,802
Referee: Chae Sang-hyeop (South Korea)
Timor-Leste 0–6 Australia
Report
  • Paull 24', 90'
  • Blair 27' (pen.)
  • Grimaldi 36'
  • Reec 68'
  • Hammond 90+3'
Xi'an Sports Training Center Pitch 1, Xi'an
Attendance: 120
Referee: Venkatesh Ramachandran (India)
Northern Mariana Islands 0–10 China
Report
  • Behram 45+4', 74', 83'
  • Li Xinxiang 46'
  • Zhu Pengyu 47', 86'
  • Wang Yudong 67' (pen.), 89'
  • Xiang Yuwang 70'
  • Kuai Jiwen 73'
Xi'an International Football Center, Xi'an
Attendance: 30,982
Referee: Wiwat Jumpao-on (Thailand)
Timor-Leste 6–0 Northern Mariana Islands
  • Freitas 38'
  • Lemos 45+1', 82'
  • Ribeiro 81'
  • Da Silva 90+2'
  • Dos Santos 90+4'
 Report
Xi'an Sports Training Center Pitch 1, Xi'an, Xi'an
Attendance: 69
Referee: Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain)
Australia 0–0 China
Report
Xi'an International Football Center, Xi'an
Attendance: 33,022
Referee: Asker Nadjafaliev (Uzbekistan)

Group E

  • All matches were held in Kyrgyzstan.
  • Times listed are UTC+6.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Kyrgyzstan (H) 3 2 1 0 10 3 +7 7 Final tournament
2  Uzbekistan 3 2 1 0 8 3 +5 7
3  Palestine 3 1 0 2 7 4 +3 3
4  Sri Lanka 3 0 0 3 0 15 −15 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Uzbekistan 4–0 Sri Lanka
  • Rakhmonaliev 38'
  • Turdimurodov 41', 54'
  • Bakhromov 70'
 Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 50
Referee: Du Jianxin (China)
Palestine 1–2 Kyrgyzstan
  • Abu El Haija 90+4'
 Report
  • Merk 81' (pen.), 90+5'
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 7,113
Referee: Abdullah Al Shehri (Saudi Arabia)
Sri Lanka 0–5 Palestine
Report
  • Abu El Haija 5'
  • Al-Tamra 50'
  • Taha 72'
  • Abu Illan 85'
  • Hasoun 90+1'
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 45
Referee: Ahmad Yacoub Ibrahim (Jordan)
Kyrgyzstan 2–2 Uzbekistan
  • Almazbekov 1'
  • Sharshenbekov 56'
 Report
  • Turdimurodov 11'
  • Askarov 42'
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 9,547
Referee: Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman)
Uzbekistan 2–1 Palestine
  • Askarov 25'
  • Turdimurodov 86'
 Report
  • Sandouqa 70'
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 50
Referee: Ahmad Alaeddin (Lebanon)
Kyrgyzstan 6–0 Sri Lanka
  • Murzakhmatov 14', 45+5'
  • Merk 46'
  • Brauzman 60'
  • Abduzhaparov 68'
  • Datsiev 75'
 Report
Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Attendance: 11,775
Referee: Du Jianxin (China)

Group F

  • All matches were held in Pathum Thani, Thailand, at Thammasat Stadium, as there were problems with the pitch at the originally scheduled True BG Stadium.
  • Times listed are UTC+7.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Thailand (H) 3 2 1 0 10 3 +7 7 Final tournament
2  Lebanon 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
3  Malaysia 3 1 0 2 8 3 +5 3
4  Mongolia 3 0 0 3 0 16 −16 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Malaysia 0–1 Lebanon
Report El Fadl 84'
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 40
Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)
Thailand 6–0 Mongolia
  • Iklas 2'
  • Seksan 18', 39', 58'
  • Chawanwit 69'
  • Yotsakorn 82'
 Report
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 1,013
Referee: Mohammed Kanah (Syria)
Mongolia 0–7 Malaysia
Report
  • Aliff 12', 63'
  • Aysar 14'
  • Tierney 38', 48', 49'
  • Ziad 69'
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 126
Referee: Sultan Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
Lebanon 2–2 Thailand
  • Farhat 47', 85'
 Report
  • Seksan 72'
  • Chanapach 88'
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 1,366
Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Ruaile (Qatar)
Lebanon 3–0 Mongolia
  • Istambouli 8', 45+1'
  • El Fadl 10'
 Report
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 75
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)
Thailand 2–1 Malaysia
  • Kakana 34', 90+2'
 Report
  • Aysar 40'
Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani
Attendance: 1,494
Referee: Kim Woo-sung (South Korea)

Group G

  • All matches were held in Cambodia.
  • Times listed are UTC+7.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iraq 3 2 1 0 9 1 +8 7 Final tournament
2  Cambodia (H) 3 1 2 0 1 0 +1 5
3  Oman 3 1 1 1 1 1 0 4
4  Pakistan 3 0 0 3 1 10 −9 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Iraq 8–1 Pakistan
  • Faisal 32' (pen.)
  • Jasim 47', 66', 72'
  • Aayed 78', 90+4'
  • Younis 83'
  • Sadeq 85'
 Report
  • Abdullah 61' (pen.)
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 325
Referee: Hanna Hattab (Syria)
Cambodia 0–0 Oman
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 1,578
Referee: Mohammed Al-Shammari (Qatar)
Oman 0–1 Iraq
Report
  • Qabeel 62'
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 349
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara (Japan)
Pakistan 0–1 Cambodia
Report
  • Yem Davit 31'
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 3,059
Referee: Dong Fangyu (China)
Oman 1–0 Pakistan
  • Bait Rabie 16'
 Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 356
Referee: Meder Tayçiev (Kyrgyzstan)
Iraq 0–0 Cambodia
Report
Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh
Attendance: 4,115
Referee: Mohammed Al-Shammari (Qatar)

Group H

  • All matches were held in Qatar.
  • Times listed are UTC+3.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Qatar (H) 3 3 0 0 17 2 +15 9 Final tournament
2  India 3 2 0 1 9 2 +7 6
3  Bahrain 3 1 0 2 11 4 +7 3
4  Brunei 3 0 0 3 0 29 −29 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Bahrain 0–2 India
Report
  • Suhail 32'
  • Shivaldo 90+5'
Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 112
Referee: Oh Hyeon-jeong (South Korea)
Qatar 13–0 Brunei
  • El Sayed 4', 23', 54', 58'
  • Al-Sharshani 6'
  • Shanan 11' (pen.)
  • Surag 13'
  • Al-Hussein 20'
  • Muhammed 35'
  • Tamer 56', 90+5'
  • Brimil 70', 83'
 Report
Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 204
Referee: Faisal Al-Balawi (Saudi Arabia)
Brunei 0–10 Bahrain
Report
  • Khalaidat 2'
  • Ebrahim 20'
  • Al-Khayyat 21'
  • Ghanem 22'
  • Bin Ahmed 26', 48'
  • Al-Moosawi 61'
  • Al-Khalaf 72'
  • Al-Subaei 87', 90+6'
Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 50
Referee: Mohammad Ghabayen (Jordan)
India 1–2 Qatar
  • Suhail 52'
 Report
  • Al-Hussein 18'
  • Al-Sharshani 67' (pen.)
Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 1,143
Referee: Adam Kersey (Australia)
India 6–0 Brunei
  • Vibin 5', 8', 62'
  • Chhetri 42'
  • Aimen 87', 90+7'
 Report
Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 312
Referee: Faisal Al-Balawi (Saudi Arabia)
Qatar 2–1 Bahrain
  • Al-Hussein 90+1'
  • Al-Sharshani 90+9' (pen.)
 Report
  • Al-Khayyat 71'
Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Attendance: 500
Referee: Fu Ming (China)

Group I

  • All matches were held in United Arab Emirates.
  • Times listed are UTC+4.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 3 3 0 0 13 2 +11 9 Final tournament
2  United Arab Emirates (H) 3 2 0 1 17 3 +14 6
3  Hong Kong 3 1 0 2 1 6 −5 3
4  Guam 3 0 0 3 0 20 −20 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Iran 4–0 Hong Kong
  • Jafari 70'
  • Razzaghinia 73'
  • Taheri 86', 90+2'
 Report
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 145
Referee: Kim Yu-jeong (South Korea)
United Arab Emirates 13–0 Guam
  • Ndiaye 5'
  • Al-Marzooqi 16'
  • Maqdami 17', 43', 55', 76'
  • Sosu 31'
  • Al-Mansoori 34', 45+2'
  • Yadoo 38'
  • Al-Menhali 44'
  • Al-Maazmi 62'
  • Al-Harasi 88'
 Report
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 271
Referee: Muath Owfi (Palestine)
Guam 0–6 Iran
Report
  • Safari 42'
  • Taheri 47', 73', 78'
  • Saharkhizan 84'
  • Hosseinnejad 90'
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 70
Referee: Sashanka Madushanka (Sri Lanka)
Hong Kong 0–2 United Arab Emirates
Report
  • Ndiaye 58'
  • Al-Memari 81'
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 254
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)
Hong Kong 1–0 Guam
  • Lee Lok Him 3'
 Report
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 40
Referee: Kim Yu-jeong (South Korea)
United Arab Emirates 2–3 Iran
  • Al-Kass 45+4'
  • Al-Mansoori 72'
 Report
  • Razzaghinia 25'
  • Saharkhizan 36', 42' (pen.)
Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Attendance: 467
Referee: Zaid Thamer Mohammed (Iraq)

Group J

  • All matches were held in Indonesia.
  • Times listed are UTC+7.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  South Korea 3 3 0 0 13 0 +13 9 Final tournament
2  Indonesia (H) 3 1 1 1 5 1 +4 4
3  Laos 3 1 1 1 3 8 −5 4
4  Macau 3 0 0 3 1 13 −12 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
South Korea 5–0 Macau
  • Jeong Jae-sang 14', 49' (pen.)
  • Park Seung-ho 45+4'
  • Kang Seong-jin 58'
  • Seo Jae-min 88'
 Report
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 106
Referee: Lê Thị Ly (Vietnam)
Indonesia 0–0 Laos
Report
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 5,238
Referee: Mohamed Jafran (Sri Lanka)
Laos 0–7 South Korea
Report
  • Jeong Ji-hoon 44'
  • Lee Kyung-dong 45+4'
  • Cho Sang-hyeok 49', 60', 90+2'
  • Park Seung-ho 69' (pen.)
  • Hwang Do-yoon 70'
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 249
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
Macau 0–5 Indonesia
Report
  • Leong Lek Han 3' (o.g.)
  • Arkhan 18'
  • Rayhan 47'
  • Zanadin 68'
  • Struick 74'
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 6,364
Referee: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (Thailand)
Laos 3–1 Macau
  • Peter 65' (pen.)
  • Khampane 68'
  • Huang Cho Fong 81' (o.g.)
 Report
  • Lei Man Tek 90' (pen.)
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 168
Referee: Lê Thị Ly (Vietnam)
South Korea 1–0 Indonesia
  • Hwang Do-yoon 6'
 Report
Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo
Attendance: 7,126
Referee: Jin Jingyuan (China)

Group K

  • All matches were held in Tajikistan.
  • Times listed are UTC+5.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Syria 3 3 0 0 7 3 +4 9 Final tournament
2  Philippines 3 2 0 1 6 2 +4 6
3  Tajikistan (H) 3 1 0 2 4 2 +2 3
4    Nepal 3 0 0 3 2 12 −10 0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Qualification tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Syria 2–1 Philippines
  • Al-Aswad 63'
  • Al-Mustafa 80'
 Report
  • Reyes 78'
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 44
Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates)
Tajikistan 4–0   Nepal
  • Azizboev 39', 58'
  • Rahmatzoda 89'
  • Sharipov 90+1'
 Report
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 4,822
Referee: Ahmad A'Qashah (Singapore)
Nepal   2–4 Syria
  • Dhami 56'
  • Shrestha 66'
 Report
  • Al-Mustafa 26'
  • Al-Rina 73'
  • Al-Aswad 81'
  • Nayef 90'
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 200
Referee: Akobirkhuja Shukurullaev (Uzbekistan)
Philippines 1–0 Tajikistan
  • Leddel 71'
 Report
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 5,340
Referee: Harish Kundu (India)
Philippines 4–0   Nepal
  • Banatao 33'
  • Mariona 39' (pen.)
  • Cariño 81'
  • Reyes 85'
 Report
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 50
Referee: Ahmad A'Qashah (Singapore)
Tajikistan 0–1 Syria
Report
  • Al-Sarakbi 90+8'
Republican Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 6,750
Referee: Koki Nagamine (Japan)

Ranking of second-placed teams

The four best-ranked runners-up also qualified for the final tournament.

Pos Grp Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 D  China 3 2 1 0 12 1 +11 7 Final tournament
2 E  Uzbekistan 3 2 1 0 8 3 +5 7
3 F  Lebanon 3 2 1 0 6 2 +4 7
4 I  United Arab Emirates 3 2 0 1 17 3 +14 6
5 H  India 3 2 0 1 9 2 +7 6
6 A  Turkmenistan 3 2 0 1 8 3 +5 6
7 K  Philippines 3 2 0 1 6 2 +4 6
8 C  Yemen 3 2 0 1 3 2 +1 6
9 G  Cambodia 3 1 2 0 1 0 +1 5
10 J  Indonesia 3 1 1 1 5 1 +4 4
11 B  Kuwait 3 1 1 1 2 6 −4 4
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) goals scored; 4) disciplinary points; 5) drawing of lots.

Goalscorers

There were 271 goals scored in 66 matches, for an average of 4.11 goals per match.

5 goals

  • Nathanael Blair
  • Kasra Taheri
  • Odeh Al-Fakhouri

4 goals

  • Behram Abduweli
  • Mostafa El Sayed
  • Seksan Ratree
  • Daýanç Meredow
  • Saeed Maqdami
  • Rustam Turdimurodov

3 goals

  • Jing Reec
  • Wang Yudong
  • Vibin Mohanan
  • Saeid Saharkhizan
  • Ali Jasim
  • Tokumo Kawai
  • Ibrahim Sabra
  • Moamen Al-Saket
  • Kimi Merk
  • Fergus Tierney
  • Hashmi Al-Hussein
  • Jassem Al-Sharshani
  • Cho Sang-hyeok
  • Mohammed Al-Mansoori

2 goals

  • Ethan Alagich
  • Yaya Dukuly
  • Aydan Hammond
  • Nathan Paull
  • Joshua Rawlins
  • Mubarak Bin Ahmed
  • Abdulrahman Al-Khayyat
  • Abdullah Al-Subaei
  • Zhu Pengyu
  • Gali Freitas
  • Alexandro Lemos
  • Mohammed Aimen
  • Muhammad Suhail
  • Amirmohammad Razzaghinia
  • Ahmed Aayed
  • Gaku Nawata
  • Keisuke Gotō
  • Mohammad Abu Hazeem
  • Ali Al-Azaizeh
  • Marlen Murzakhmatov
  • Ali El Fadl
  • Hasan Farhat
  • Danny Istambouli
  • Aysar Hadi
  • Aliff Izwan
  • Swan Htet
  • Khalid Abu El Haija
  • Sandro Reyes
  • Marawan Brimil
  • Noureldan Tamer
  • Hwang Do-yoon
  • Jeong Jae-sang
  • Park Seung-ho
  • Mahmoud Al-Aswad
  • Mohammad Al-Mustafa
  • Muhammadali Azizboev
  • Kakana Khamyok
  • Söhbet Durdyýew
  • Junior Ndiaye
  • Bekhruz Askarov

1 goal

  • Maroof Mohammadi
  • Yaser Safi
  • Rhys Bozinovski
  • Matthew Grimaldi
  • Saood Ebrahim
  • Abdullah Hesham Ghanem
  • Khaled Al-Khalaf
  • Hesham Khalaidat
  • Sayed Al-Moosawi
  • Mohsin Ahmed
  • Mohammed Al-Amin
  • Fahamedul Islam
  • Shekh Morsalin
  • Jetsuen Dorji
  • Sonam Dorji
  • Kinzang Tenzin
  • Yem Davit
  • Kuai Jiwen
  • Li Xinxiang
  • Xiang Yuwang
  • Lin Chen
  • Wei Chih-chuan
  • Luis Figo Ribeiro
  • Fretelian dos Santos
  • Oatnasio da Silva
  • Lee Lok Him
  • Ayush Chhetri
  • Shivaldo Singh
  • Zanadin Fariz
  • Arkhan Fikri
  • Rayhan Hannan
  • Rafael Struick
  • Mohammadjavad Hosseinnejad
  • Farhan Jafari
  • Alireza Safari
  • Amoori Faisal
  • Mustafa Qabeel
  • Ali Sadeq
  • Dhulfiqar Younis
  • Uche Nwadike
  • Tariqkani Okabe
  • Shion Shinkawa
  • Ryunosuke Yada
  • Abdallah Al-Mnayyes
  • Ayham Al-Samamreh
  • Amin Al-Shanaineh
  • Ahmad Boodai
  • Moath Al-Enezi
  • Erbol Abduzhaparov
  • Beknaz Almazbekov
  • Khristiyan Brauzman
  • Said Datsiev
  • Arsen Sharshenbekov
  • Khampane Douangvilay
  • Peter Phanthavong
  • Lei Man Tek
  • Ziad El Basheer
  • Nirajan Dhami
  • Sumit Shrestha
  • Turki Bait Rabie
  • McKeal Abdullah
  • Ibrahim Abu Illan
  • Oday Hasoun
  • Mohammed Sandouqa
  • Qais Taha
  • Ali Al-Tamra
  • Otu Banatao
  • Dov Cariño
  • Noah Leddel
  • Javier Mariona
  • Abdulaziz Muhammed
  • Mobark Shanan
  • Mohamed Surag
  • Khairin Nadim
  • Louka Tan
  • Jeong Ji-hoon
  • Kang Seong-jin
  • Lee Kyung-dong
  • Seo Jae-min
  • Ali Al-Rina
  • Mahmoud Nayef
  • Mohamad Al-Sarakbi
  • Rahmatshoh Rahmatzoda
  • Daler Sharipov
  • Chanapach Buaphan
  • Yotsakorn Burapha
  • Chawanwit Saelao
  • Iklas Sanron
  • Abdyrahman Annamyradow
  • Magtymberdi Berenow
  • Eisa Al-Harasi
  • Mayed Al-Kass
  • Dhari Al-Maazmi
  • Yousif Al-Marzooqi
  • Ali Al-Memari
  • Mansoor Al-Menhali
  • Solomon Sosu
  • Ahmed Yadoo
  • Sardorbek Bakhromov
  • Umarali Rakhmonaliev
  • Lê Văn Thuận
  • Viktor Le
  • Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ
  • Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn
  • Abdo Al-Awami
  • Radhi Ebrahim
  • Abdulaziz Masnom

1 own goal

  • Huang Chun-lin (against Jordan)
  • Huang Cho Fong (against Laos)
  • Leong Lek Han (against Indonesia)

Qualified teams

The following teams qualified for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

Team Method of
qualification 		Date of
qualification 		Total times
qualified 		Last time
qualified 		Previous best
performance
 Saudi Arabia Hosts 1 July 2023 7 2024 Winners (2022)
 Jordan Group A winners 9 September 2025 7 2024 Third place (2013)
 Japan Group B winners 9 September 2025 7 2024 Winners (2016, 2024)
 Vietnam Group C winners 9 September 2025 6 2024 Runners-up (2018)
 Australia Group D winners 9 September 2025 7 2024 Third place (2020)
 Kyrgyzstan Group E winners 9 September 2025 1 — —
 Thailand Group F winners 9 September 2025 6 2024 Quarter-finals (2020)
 Iraq Group G winners 9 September 2025 7 2024 Winners (2013)
 Qatar Group H winners 9 September 2025 6 2024 Third place (2018)
 Iran Group I winners 9 September 2025 5 2022 Quarter-finals (2016)
 South Korea Group J winners 9 September 2025 7 2024 Winners (2020)
 Syria Group K winners 9 September 2025 5 2020 Quarter-finals (2013, 2020)
 China Best runners-up 9 September 2025 6 2024 Group stage (2013, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2024)
 Uzbekistan Second-best runners-up 9 September 2025 7 2024 Winners (2018)
 Lebanon Third-best runners-up 9 September 2025 1 — —
 United Arab Emirates Fourth-best runners-up 9 September 2025 6 2024 Quarter-finals (2013, 2016, 2020)

See also

  • 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification
  • 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualification
  • 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup qualification
  • 2026 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup qualification
  • 2026 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup qualification

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