AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026/27

The AFC U-17 Asian Cup stands as the premier continental championship for under-17 men’s national teams in Asia. Organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the tournament serves as the essential qualification pathway for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. It occupies the highest level of Asian youth international football, operating distinctly from club competitions such as the AFC Champions League.

Japan holds the record for success in the competition, having secured five titles. Other nations with multiple championships include Saudi Arabia, South Korea, China, Oman, North Korea, Iran, and Uzbekistan. Recent history shows Uzbekistan claiming the 2025 edition by defeating Saudi Arabia in the final. The tournament has undergone various name changes since its inception, aligning its age group designations with FIFA standards over time.

Starting in 2026, the AFC announced a shift to an annual schedule, replacing the previous biennial cycle. The final tournament features 16 teams split into four groups of four. Teams play a round-robin format during the group stage, with the top two sides from each group progressing to a knockout phase that includes quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final. Matches last 90 minutes, with extra time and penalty shootouts available to resolve drawn encounters in the later stages.

Qualification for the main event involves a separate phase with 35 teams divided into seven groups of five. These matches are played in centralized host nations. The group winners advance to the finals, along with teams that have already qualified for the global tournament. There is no promotion or relegation system, as the event remains a standalone championship for national teams. The competition focuses specifically on player development and securing spots for the world stage, separate from the AFC U-23 Asian Cup or the senior AFC Asian Cup.