AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifying groups determined

The draw for the 2027 AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualifying tournament has been completed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 35 teams will compete for seven available spots in the final tournament, which will be hosted by Uzbekistan in May 2027.

The qualifying matches are scheduled to take place between November 8 and November 20, 2026. The 35 teams are divided into seven groups of five, with only the winner of each group advancing to the main tournament. There are no additional qualifying spots for runners-up.

Nine nations have already secured qualification for the 2027 tournament: Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. Japan enters as the defending champion.

Group compositions include: Group A: Indonesia, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Philippines, Cambodia. Group B: Thailand, Iraq, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Maldives. Group C: UAE, Bangladesh, Syria, Bhutan, Macau. Group D: Iran, Laos, Jordan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Group E: India, Malaysia, Palestine, Singapore, Guam. Group F: Yemen, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands. Group G: Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Brunei.