Indonesia Faces Tough Draw in 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup
The draw for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup has placed Indonesia in a challenging Group B alongside Japan, China, and Qatar. The draw, conducted by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 12, 2026, sets the stage for a competitive tournament.
Group B: A Battle of Asian Footballing Powers
Indonesia will face a significant challenge in Group B, with Japan widely considered the strongest opponent. Japan is a perennial contender and a favorite to advance from the group. Indonesia recently faced China in two friendly matches, losing both – 1-7 and 3-2 – indicating the strength of their opposition.
Qatar also presents a formidable challenge. The tournament, which serves as a qualifying event for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, will see the top eight teams secure a place in the global competition.
Indonesia’s Previous Performance and Path to Qualification
Despite the tough draw, Indonesia has demonstrated potential in recent tournaments. In the previous edition, the team reached the quarter-finals before being defeated by North Korea. Indonesia’s qualification for the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup was secured through their successful run to the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Tournament Format and Schedule
The 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup will feature 16 teams divided into four groups. The tournament is scheduled to take place from April 30 to May 17, 2026. The competition has evolved over the years, initially starting as the AFC U-16 Championship in 1985, then transitioning to an under-17 tournament between 2002 and 2006, reverting to U-16 between 2008 and 2020, and finally returning to an under-17 format in 2023.
Notably, the AFC announced on May 24, 2024, that the tournament will be held annually starting in 2026.
Other Group Alignments
Here’s a look at the other group compositions:
- Group A: Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Myanmar
- Group C: Korea South, Yemen, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates
- Group D: Uzbekistan, Australia, India, Korea North
FAQ
Q: When and where will the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup be held?
A: The tournament will be held from April 30 to May 17, 2026, in Saudi Arabia.
Q: How many teams qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup through the AFC U-17 Asian Cup?
A: The top eight teams from the AFC U-17 Asian Cup qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Q: What is the history of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup’s age groups?
A: The tournament has changed age groups over time, starting as U-16, then U-17, back to U-16, and now permanently U-17 since 2023.
Q: What were the results of Indonesia’s recent friendly matches against China?
A: Indonesia lost both matches to China, with scores of 1-7 and 3-2.
Did you know? Japan has won the AFC U-17 Asian Cup (formerly the AFC U-16 Championship) a record four times.
Stay tuned for further updates and analysis as the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup approaches. Explore more articles on Asian football and youth development on our website.
