Vietnam topped Group C, defeating Bangladesh 2-0, and both Singapore and Yemen 1-0.

Thailand secured the top spot in Group F. They started with a 6-0 victory over Mongolia, drew 2-2 with Lebanon, and then edged out Malaysia 2-1. Thailand finished with 7 points, the same as Lebanon, but advanced due to a superior goal difference (+7 compared to +4).

Nguyen Thanh Nhan (number 22) scored the only goal in Vietnam's 1-0 victory over Yemen in the final match of Group C of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho, on 9/9/2025. Photo: Thu Khuc

The other nine group winners were Jordan (Group A), Japan (Group B), Australia (Group D), Kyrgyzstan (Group E), Iraq (Group G), Qatar (Group H), Iran (Group I), South Korea (Group J), and Syria (Group K). The four best second-placed teams were China (Group D), Uzbekistan (Group E), Lebanon (Group F), and UAE (Group I).

Vietnam was one of seven teams with a perfect record in the qualifiers, alongside Jordan, Japan, Qatar, Iran, South Korea, and Syria. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team, along with South Korea, Cambodia (Group G), and Australia, also maintained clean sheets.

Most of the 16 qualified teams are familiar names. Saudi Arabia, as the host, along with Jordan, Japan, Australia, Iraq, South Korea, and Uzbekistan, have participated in all seven tournaments since 2013. Five teams – Vietnam, Thailand, Qatar, China, and UAE – have qualified six times. Iran and Syria have each qualified five times.

Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon will make their debut in next year's tournament. Kyrgyzstan caused an upset in Group E, drawing 2-2 with Uzbekistan to claim first place.

Indonesia (white) lost 0-1 to South Korea (red) in the final match of Group J of the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers at Gelora Delta Stadium, Indonesia on 9/9/2025. Photo: Bola

Another surprise was Indonesia's failure to qualify despite being the host of Group J, including a goalless draw against Laos. They also became the first team from the previous top 4 to miss out on qualification for the next tournament.

Cambodia also impressed with a flawless defensive record. The Group G hosts defeated Pakistan 1-0 and drew 0-0 against stronger opponents Oman and Iraq.

The 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifiers took place from 3/9 to 9/9. 44 teams were divided into 11 groups, playing a single round-robin format.

271 goals, an average of 4.11 goals per match, were scored in 66 matches. Australia, in Group D, scored the most goals (20) and had the biggest win, a 14-0 thrashing of Northern Mariana Islands. They also boasted the top scorer, Nathanael Blair (5 goals), tied with Odeh Al-Fakhouri (Jordan) and Kasra Taheri (Iran).

The final tournament will run from 7/1 to 25/1/2025. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has not yet announced the draw schedule or the venues in Saudi Arabia.

However, the format remains the same: 16 teams divided into four groups. The teams will play a single round-robin, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. This year's tournament will not serve as a qualifier for the 2028 Olympics.

Japan leads with two titles, in 2016 and 2024. Uzbekistan (2018), Saudi Arabia (2022), South Korea (2020), and Iraq (2013) each have one title.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam holds the best record, finishing as runners-up in 2018. Thailand reached the quarterfinals in 2020. In the tournament that served as an Olympic qualifier, Indonesia achieved their best result, finishing fourth in 2024.

Hieu Luong