Which teams have qualified for AFC U17 Asian Cup so far?

16 teams have qualified for the AFC U17 Asian Cup so far.

In a night of determination, fighting spirit, and a hunger to win, the India U17 Football Team pulled off one of the greatest upsets in recent youth football history, defeating the powerhouse Iran U17 Football Team 2-1 to book their ticket for the AFC U17 Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2026.

With this win on the final day of the qualification campaign at Ahmedabad, the Blue Colts have confirmed their spot in the AFC U17 Asian Cup, marking their 10th appearance in the league. After this result, the complete roster of 16 teams for the 2026 edition of the Asia Cup has been finalised.

The tournament, which serves as the ultimate Asian qualification stage for the FIFA U17 World Cup, is scheduled to start from May 7 to May 24, 2026, in Saudi Arabia.

List of all nations qualified for the AFC U17 Asian Cup-

Saudi Arabia (hosts)

As the host country for the second consecutive year, Saudi Arabia will be one to watch. The two-time Champions finished as runners-up in the 2025 edition and will be determined to lift the trophy on home soil this time.

Their automatic entry ensures the passionate Saudi fans will have their home side to cheer, piling high expectations on the young Green Falcons to brush away the disappointment of last year and secure a spot at the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Uzbekistan (Defending Champions)

The Defending Champions and two-time title AFC U17 Asian Cup winners, Uzbekistan U17 Football Team, have cemented their status as a major Asian power in youth football. They enter the tournament among the favourites, known for their tactical discipline and consistent development pathway.

For Uzbekistan, the stakes are clear. Defend their continental title and ensure their present generation remains a powerhouse in Asian Football.

Indonesia (2025 FIFA U17 World Cup Representative)

The Garudas have qualified for the AFC U17 Asian Cup as an AFC representative at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup. Indonesia have a very passionate fan base and an exciting style of play.

Their focus will be on deploying their technical quickness and unpredictable attacking initiatives to navigate themselves from the group stage and achieve a breakthrough result in the knockout phase for a second consecutive time.

Japan (2025 FIFA U17 World Cup Representative)

Japan, with a record four titles to their name, stands as the unparalleled benchmark for youth development in Asia. The Samurai Blues have confirmed their participation as AFC representatives at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Their players, often products of highly structured J.League academies, exhibit superb positional discipline and fluid movement.

Japan entered the tournament as one of the favourites, focused not only on winning the title but also on improving their transition from the youth setup to the senior level.

South Korea (2025 FIFA U17 World Cup Representative)

South Korea, two-time Asian Champions (1986, 2002), secured an automatic spot via a strong performance in the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup cycle.

Known for their speed and relentless pressing, the young Taegeuk Warriors are driven by a fierce desire to reclaim the continental title after a long wait.

South Korea’s highly professional system consistently produces technically powerful and fast players, making them a potential contender expected to reach the final rounds and secure consecutive World Cup qualification.

Qatar (2026 FIFA U17 World Cup Host)

Qatar, the former Asian Champions, participates in the 2026 tournament, having secured automatic entry as the Host Nation of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026. This unique position removes the pressure of qualifications and provides them the freedom to focus solely on their strategy.

The AFC U-17 Asian Cup is their most critical competitive rehearsal, providing crucial tactical and mental experience to ensure their young squad is ready to compete at the highest level when they host the global World Cup later in the year.

DPR Korea (2025 FIFA U17 World Cup Representative)

Another Asian giant, North Korea, are a two-time AFC U17 Asia Cup Winner. The Chollimas, known for their disciplined and physical style of play, secured their spot based on their progression to the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The secretive but dedicated youth program of the DPR Korea U17 Football Team is always an unpredictable threat, capable of defeating any opponent and challenging the top favourites.

Tajikistan (2025 FIFA U17 World Cup Representative)

One of the most exciting emerging nations, Tajikistan, finished as Runners-up in 2018, which showcased the world their true potential. The Persian Lions secured automatic entry to the AFC U17 Asia Cup as a representative at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Known for their fighting spirit and resilience, the young Persians will look to build on their recent success and display their long-lost flair.

UAE (2025 FIFA U17 World Cup Representative)

The United Arab Emirates U17 Football Team secured a direct entry as an established AFC representative from the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup cycle, underscoring their commitment to youth development.

With heavy investment in modern coaching, Al-Abyad’s primary goal is to validate this developmental progress by competing strongly against the continent’s best and reaching the quarter-finals, a crucial step to ensure they achieve consecutive qualification for the global FIFA U17 World Cup.

China (Group A Winners)

Arguably, China delivered the most impressive performance across all qualifiers, winning all matches and posting a spectacular +42 goal difference to top the Group A table. The two-time champions will be making a strong push to fight for the title and regain their regional dominance in youth football.

Backed by immense resources and a renewed focus on technical development, the China U17 Football Team enters the tournament as a top-tier contender, aiming to prove their dominance in the qualifiers was not a fluke, rather an early warning signal.

Yemen (Group B Winners)

Yemen topped Group B with a perfect 15 points from five wins, continuing their consistent rise in youth football that saw them reach the finals of the tournament in the 2002 edition.

Their passion and resilience have often seen them defy expectations against higher-ranked opponents and create some surprises.

This strong qualification run provides significant momentum. Yemen will arrive at the finals as a potent threat, relying on their collective fighting spirit and tactical discipline to spring surprises and get a breakthrough entry to the playoffs.

Vietnam (Group C Winners)

Vietnam secured their place as Group C winners, matching China’s perfect qualifying record, having won all their group stage matches. This phenomenal run underscores the rapid and consistent development of Southeast Asian football.

The young Golden Star Warriors play a fluid, fast-paced, and highly technical game. Their challenge in the final will further enhance their dominance in the playoffs against the Asian giants.

The young side will play their hearts out to qualify for the knockout stages and achieve a landmark, first-ever qualification to the FIFA U17 World Cup.

India (Group D Winners)

After a heartbreaking loss against Lebanon U17 in the penultimate clash of the group stage fixtures, India secured their historic 10th appearance at the AFC U17 Asian Cup against all odds, defeating Asian heavyweights Iran 2-1 on the final day clash at Ahmedabad.

With this win, the Blue Colts have dethroned Iran from the top of the table on a head-to-head basis. This remarkable comeback win proves the resolve of the Blue Colts under head coach Bibiano Fernandes, who currently holds a perfect record of qualifying the team for the tournament four times in a row.

The Blue Colts would look forward to breaking out of the vicious struggle of being unable to get past the quarter-final hurdle, to mark their maiden meritorious qualification for the prestigious FIFA U17 World Cup.

Australia (Group E Winners)

Australia have sealed a berth in the AFC U17 Asian Cup as the winners of Group E, ensuring their continuous presence at the highest level of Asian Football. The Joeys bring a physically demanding, structured style of football into the tournament.

Influenced heavily by European systems, their key strength lies in their tactical awareness and organisation. The Joeys are strong contenders to reach the semi-finals, as this position is crucial for securing their place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Thailand (Group F Winners)

The Thailand U17 football team has navigated their way into the AFC U17 Asian Cup after some tightly contested group stage encounters. The former champions, Thailand, remain a respectable force in Asian football, known for their technical flair.

The War Elephants will be eager to use the continental platform to showcase their strength at the top level, aiming to break their current knockout stage ceiling and successfully return to the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Myanmar (Group G Winners)

After a long wait of 19 years, Myanmar have secured their place in the AFC U17 Asian Cup as Group G Winners. This historic feat marked their first appearance at the finals since the 2006 edition. This long-awaited qualification would boost the country’s youth development efforts.

The Asian Tigers will enter the tournament as the underdogs, relying on their discipline and commitment to surprise their rivals and create a potential upset.

Myanmar’s primary objective is to gain invaluable experience against elite competition and use their qualification as a foundation for consistent success in the future.

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