Exciting Draw for 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Indonesia Faces South Korea in Group Stage
The draw for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers took place recently, involving 44 teams competing for 15 spots in the final tournament scheduled in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to 25, 2026. These 15 teams will join the 10 pre-selected host nations, including Indonesia, Jordan, Vietnam, China, and others. The qualifying matches are set to be held between September 1 and 9, 2025. Indonesia’s U23 team was drawn into Group J, where they will face strong opponents such as South Korea, Laos, and Macau.
Indonesia’s young national team carries a hopeful history, having previously beaten South Korea in a past U23 Asian Cup under coach Shin Tae-yong. Now, under the guidance of coach Gerald Vanenburg, the team faces heightened expectations to replicate or exceed that success. Other Southeast Asian teams are spread across various groups, with Myanmar grouped alongside Japan, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, while Vietnam and Singapore compete in Group C against Yaman and Bangladesh.
Further groupings show a diverse competition landscape, with Australia and Timor Leste in Group D facing China and the Northern Mariana Islands. Group F includes Thailand and Malaysia matched with Lebanon and Mongolia, and Group H features Brunei against Qatar, Bahrain, and India. This wide distribution highlights the competitive and geographic diversity of the tournament.
The Philippines also join the fray in Group K, contending with Tajikistan, Syria, and Nepal. The qualifiers promise intense competition and regional rivalries as teams strive to secure their place in the prestigious tournament. Indonesia’s performance, especially against South Korea, will be a key storyline to watch as the qualification phase approaches.
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