AFC U23 Asian Cup 2025/26

The AFC U23 Asian Cup is the premier international football tournament for men’s national teams aged 23 and under in Asia. Organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the competition serves as the primary qualification pathway for the Men's Football tournament at the Summer Olympic Games. The top two teams from the final tournament qualify directly for the Olympics, while the third-place team may secure a spot depending on specific allocation rules for that year.

Founded in 2012 as the AFC U-22 Championship, the event evolved into the AFC U23 Asian Cup following a rebranding in 2021. Historically held every two years, the AFC announced in 2024 that the tournament would become quadrennial starting with the 2028 edition. This change aligns the competition with the Olympic cycle, reducing the frequency of the championship to coincide with the global games.

The final tournament features 16 teams divided into four groups of four. The top two sides from each group advance to a knockout stage comprising quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place match, and the final. Matches are played as single legs at neutral host venues, with no promotion or relegation involved in the structure. Participation is determined by qualification rounds open to all AFC member associations.

Japan is the most successful nation in the history of the competition, having won the title three times. They are also the current champions, having secured the latest edition in 2024. The competition sits in the Asian football hierarchy below the senior AFC Asian Cup but above the AFC U20 Asian Cup, which qualifies for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. It remains distinct from the Asian Games football tournament, which is organized by the Olympic Council of Asia and allows three over-age players. The key differentiator from the AFC U20 Asian Cup is the age group and the global destination, with this tournament leading to the Olympics rather than a FIFA World Cup.