The qualification path to the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 has been unveiled, with the Subway Joeys learning their opponents during the official draw ceremony held at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 7.
The 21st edition of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ will feature 38 nations competing for a place at the Finals, with teams divided into seven groups-three groups of six and four groups of five-contesting a single round-robin centralised league format from 22 to 30 November 2025.
Carl Veart's Subway Joeys were drawn into Group E alongside Iraq, Philippines, (hosts) Jordan and Bhutan.
All seven group winners will progress to the 2026 tournament, joining nine AFC nations that have automatically qualified through their participation in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025. These nations are Qatar, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, DPR Korea, Japan, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates, and Indonesia.
The Subway Joeys will be looking to build on their most recent Asian Cup experience where they fell narrowly short of advancing out of the Group Stage despite beating Japan in their final match.
The talented squad was most recently in action when they travelled to China for the Hohhot U16 Tournament where they faced Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and China PR in an invitational tournament and securing victories over Saudi Arabia and Vietnam.
AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Draw Result
Group A: China PR (H), Bangladesh, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Timor-Leste, Sri Lanka
Group B: Yemen, Laos, Kyrgyz Republic (H), Cambodia, Guam, Pakistan
Group C: Vietnam (H), Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Northern Mariana Islands, Macau
Group D: Islamic Republic of Iran, India (H), Palestine, Chinese Taipei, Lebanon
Group E: Australia, Iraq, Philippines, Jordan (H), Bhutan
Group F: Thailand (H), Kuwait, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Maldives
Group G: Oman, Afghanistan, Myanmar (H), Syria, Nepal
To see the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Match Schedule CLICK HERE.
