India to face Uzbekistan, Australia and DPR Korea in AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026
Challenging draw for India ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup.
India were drawn with Uzbekistan, Australia and DPR Korea in Group D of the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 in the Final Draw held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The tournament will take place from May 5 to 22.India qualified for the AFC U17 Asian Cup for the 10th time in history after finishing ahead of IR Iran, Lebanon, Palestine and Chinese Taipei in the qualifiers. The Blue Colts will begin their campaign against Australia, followed by Uzbekistan and DPR Korea.
Uzbekistan are the defending champions, thus qualifying automatically for the tournament. Australia were knocked out in the group stage of the 2025 edition and qualified for the 2026 tournament after victories over Jordan, Bhutan and the Philippines. Two-time former champions DPR Korea were semi-finalists in 2025, thus also qualifying automatically for the current edition.
In Group A, hosts Saudi Arabia were drawn alongside Tajikistan, Thailand, and Myanmar. Group B contains Japan, Indonesia, China PR and Qatar. Group C has Korea Republic, Yemen, Vietnam and United Arab Emirates.
The top two sides from each group will progress to the quarter-finals and also qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026.
AFC U17 ASIAN CUP SAUDI ARABIA 2026 FINAL DRAW RESULTS
Group A: Saudi Arabia (H), Tajikistan, Thailand, MyanmarGroup B: Japan, Indonesia, China PR, QatarGroup C: Korea Republic, Yemen, Vietnam, United Arab EmiratesGroup D: Uzbekistan, Australia, India, DPR Korea
Which group is India in?
India have been placed in Group D alongside Uzbekistan, Australia and DPR Korea.
When will the tournament take place?
The AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 will be held from May 5 to May 22, 2026.
When and where was the Final Draw held?
The Final Draw was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 12, 2026.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.