Taking place for a 23rd time since being introduced in 1980, this iteration of the qualification pathway offers 15 berths at next year’s Finals and sees the maiden implementation of a two-tiered format.
The Qualification Phase divides 31 teams across eight groups, with all group winners and the seven best second-placed teams advancing to join hosts China PR at the 43rd edition of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™. Meanwhile, the six lowest-ranked fourth-placed teams are relegated to the Development Phase of the next Qualifiers.
Concurrently, the Development Phase features 11 teams that are split into three groups, with the first and second-placed teams of each group to be promoted to the Qualification Phase of the next Qualifiers.
Holders Australia are aiming to retain their crown, while 13 other former champions will eye another title; at the other end, Palestine and Turkmenistan are hoping to make their Finals debuts.
Qualification Phase
Group A
Kyrgyz Republic | Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek
Record 12-time champions and 2025 semi-finalists Korea Republic open their 22nd Qualifiers campaign at 4pm against Lebanon, whom they defeated 2-1 in the previous Qualifiers. The East Asians have won their last 15 qualifying matches—dating back to 2015—and are targeting a record 41st Finals appearance, which would be their 20th in a row. Their opponents are contesting a 14th Qualifiers and attempting to reach a third Finals, following their most recent participation in 2008.
The withdrawal of the Philippines leaves Kyrgyz Republic as the remaining side in this group and the hosts kick off their 12th Qualifiers on September 3 at 8pm against Lebanon, with their sights set on a third consecutive Finals appearance and fourth overall.
Group B
Uzbekistan | Do’stlik Stadium, Tashkent
Both taking part in qualifying for a 21st time, 1994 champions Syria and 1974 winners India go head-to-head at 4pm as they hunt a 13th and 21st Finals involvement respectively; Syria have made it to the last two editions, while India’s absence stretches back to 2006.
Bangladesh’s quest for a seventh Finals showing and first since 2002 gets underway in their 19th Qualifiers at 7pm against hosts Uzbekistan, who lifted their only title in 2023, and are aiming for a third successive Finals appearance and 10th overall.
Group C
Vietnam | Viet Tri Stadium, Viet Tri
The Islamic Republic of Iran—former four-time champions—go in search of a 23rd Finals involvement and third in a row as their 16th Qualifiers campaign commences at 4pm against Palestine, who are playing in their 11th qualifying contest.
Having missed out in 2025, Vietnam kick-start their 15th Qualifiers at home with an eye on a 21st Finals appearance at 7pm against three-time winners DPR Korea, who hope to progress to back-to-back Finals—and 15th overall—in their 13th qualifying campaign.
Group D
Bahrain | Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Isa Town
Hoping to extend their run to five Finals in a row and 10th overall, Jordan’s 15th participation in the Qualifiers opens at 5pm against an Afghanistan side taking part in their eighth Qualifiers, and targeting a fourth Finals showing and first since 1978.
Tajikistan, who have five Finals appearances under their belt, start their 15th Qualifiers at 8.30pm against 1986 runners-up Bahrain, who are on home soil in their 22nd qualifying campaign and made the last of their nine Finals involvements in 2016.
Group E
Qatar | Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium and Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Hunting a 17th Finals appearance and seventh in a row, 2014 champions Qatar launch their 20th qualifying campaign at home at 7pm against Oman at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium. The visitors have played thrice at the Finals—most recently in 2023—and are also at their 20th Qualifiers.
The other group showdown between three-time winners Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong, China occurs simultaneously at the Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium. Both battling in their 18th Qualifiers and aiming for a 17th Finals participation, 2025 runners-up Saudi Arabia have appeared at the last four in a row while the latter’s most recent one was in 1977.
Group F
Thailand | Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi
Entering their 18th Qualifiers, Iraq have the opportunity to make it 11 appearances on the bounce at the Finals and 20th overall. The five-time champions’ opener comes at 3.30pm against Turkmenistan, who are at their 14th qualifying campaign.
Two former winners are in action at 7.30pm as hosts Thailand (1962, 1969), competing in their 22nd Qualifiers and aiming for a 35th Finals showing, square off against United Arab Emirates (2008), who are at their 20th qualifying campaign and whose 14th—and last—Finals appearance was in 2018.
Group G
Cambodia | National Sports Complex of Cambodia, Phnom Penh
Vying for a 19th straight Finals participation and 40th overall, 2016 champions Japan start their 23rd qualifying campaign at 4pm against Kuwait, who are in their 20th Qualifiers and seeking a ninth Finals showing, which would be their first since 2012.
With their last appearance harking back to 1974, Cambodia’s absence from the Finals is the longest of any side in these Qualifiers. The hosts’ mission to make it back for a fourth time—in their seventh qualifying campaign—begins at 7pm against Yemen, who are looking to chalk up an eighth Finals involvement in their 17th Qualifiers.
Group H
Laos | Lao National Stadium KM16, Vientiane
This all-ASEAN group pits Indonesia against Malaysia in the 4pm opener for their 17th and 20th Qualifiers respectively. Winners in 1961, Indonesia have appeared at 20 previous Finals, including each of the last three, while Malaysia have 23 prior showings, with the most recent in 2018.
Australia’s maiden triumph at the last edition made them the 17th different champion and they need to navigate their 10th Qualifiers in order to return for a 10th Finals and defend the trophy. Their first opponents are Laos, who take to home turf at 7pm for their 14th qualifying campaign with the aim of securing a sixth Finals participation—and first since 2004.
Development Phase
Group I
Mongolia | MFF Stadium, Ulaanbaatar
In their seventh Qualifiers, Mongolia welcome the Northern Mariana Islands for a 1pm battle, with the latter hoping to claim a first-ever point in their fourth qualifying campaign.
Looking for their maiden Qualifiers win on their 11th participation, Guam swing into action on September 3 in this three-team group—due to Nepal’s non-participation—at 1pm against the Northern Mariana Islands.
Group J
Bhutan | Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Both featuring in their 18th Qualifiers, Chinese Taipei and Macau, China meet at 3pm, followed by the 6pm encounter between Singapore and Bhutan, who are involved in their 21st and ninth qualifying campaigns respectively.
Group K
Myanmar | Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Seven-time winners Myanmar, playing in their 12th Qualifiers, host Sri Lanka at 4pm, with the away side participating in a 14th qualifying campaign. In the evening at 7pm, the Maldives and Brunei Darussalam will suit up for their 18th and 13th Qualifiers respectively.
Find the AFC U20 Asian Cup China 2027™ Qualifiers schedule here. All timings indicated are in respective local times.