CommBank Joeys' Head Coach Carl Veart has selected a 23-player squad for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ to be held between 5 - 22 May.
Australia has been drawn into Group D and will face India (6 May - local time) and Uzbekistan (13 May - local time).
DPR Korea, originally drawn in Group D, has withdrawn from the tournament.
The U17 continental tournament - which serves as qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cup Qatar 2026™ - will see the top eight teams earn their place at the age group's showpiece event to be held in November 2026.
This means that should the CommBank Joeys secure passage out of their Group, they will punch their ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup for the first time since 2019.
Quotes attributable to CommBank Joeys Head Coach Carl Veart:
"As a group we've been clear about our ambition, which is to perform strongly at this Asian Cup and to put ourselves in a position to qualify for a World Cup.
"Our focus is on what is immediately in front of us and we know what we're capable of when we play to our potential. The players have been outstanding in their application and commitment to both our playing style and our off-field standards.
"Competing in an Asian Cup, with World Cup qualification on the line, is exactly the type of exposure that helps prepare players for the demands of international football."
