Indonesia U19 coach says team will not target AFF Cup title in 2026

Coach Nova Arianto said Indonesia’s U19 side, which will host the 2026 AFF U‑19 Championship, will not set a title‑winning goal for the tournament. He described the competition as a testing ground for players ahead of the AFC U‑20 Asian Cup qualifiers scheduled for 2027, emphasising squad rotation and player assessment. "I can assure you that at the AFF I will use all the players we bring because, once again, I want to see which players can play for Indonesia in the 2027 qualification," he told the media.

The decision eases the path for Vietnam’s U19 team, which aims for the championship, as both sides share Group A with Myanmar and Timor Leste. Indonesia, the defending champions, are focusing on long‑term development rather than a short‑term title pursuit.