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The 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup – Uzbekistan official draw ceremony is poised to reveal thrilling encounters as Asia’s top 16 teams have their names drawn from four pots at 12pm (local time) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on Wednesday.
Following a four-year absence due to the pandemic and after a captivating qualifying campaign, the Continent’s emerging stars will learn their fate at the showpiece which returns from March 1 to 18, 2023.
With 10 group winners and five best runners-up from the Qualifiers joining hosts Uzbekistan in the Finals, the challengers will be divided into four groups of four teams, with the top two sides in each group advancing to the Quarter-finals.
As hosts of the competition, the young White Wolves will be placed as the top seeded Member Association (MA) while the 2018 AFC U-19 Championship – Indonesia team ranking will determine the seeding of the remaining contenders.
Joining Uzbekistan in Pot 1 are Saudi Arabia, winners of the U-19 edition in 2018 followed by runners-up Korea Republic and 2014 champions Qatar, who advanced to the Finals with an undefeated record in their Group B qualifiers.
2016 title winners Japan, 2018 Quarterfinalists Tajikistan, Australia and Indonesia will occupy Pot 2 followed by Jordan, China, four-time champions Iraq and 2016 Semifinalists Vietnam in Pot 3.
Meanwhile Iran, who will be looking to end their 47-year title drought, will be drawn from Pot 4, alongside Oman, Syria as well as Kyrgyz Republic who return to the tournament after a 17-year hiatus.
It has been four years since the Continent’s rising stars have contended at the elite youth level and they will be eager to challenge for the prestigious trophy as well as four tickets to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will return to Asia in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11.
