Will Ahmedabad be the Host City for the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers?
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Synopsis
Exciting times await Indian football as Ahmedabad prepares to host the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers. This prestigious event will take place from November 22 to 30, 2025, at The Arena. With 38 nations competing, the stakes are high for India's young talents to shine on home soil. Don't miss this historic opportunity!
Key Takeaways
- India to host AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers in Ahmedabad.
- Matches scheduled from November 22 to 30, 2025.
- A total of 38 teams participating in the qualifiers.
- Group winners will qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.
- Opportunity for young Indian players to shine.
New Delhi, Aug 5 (NationPress) India is set to be one of the seven hosts for the Qualifiers of the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) U17 Asian Cup, which will take place in Saudi Arabia in 2026. The matches will be held at The Arena in Ahmedabad, scheduled from November 22 to 30, 2025.
The draw for these qualifiers is slated for August 7, 2025.
A total of 38 countries will compete, organized into seven groups, with three groups consisting of six teams and four groups comprising five teams each.
The group winners will earn a spot in the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in 2026, joining nine AFC teams that have already secured their place in the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar 2025.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed, “It is a moment of immense pride for India to host the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, especially in Ahmedabad. This is a wonderful chance for our young talents to shine on home turf and for the city to demonstrate its ability to host prestigious international events.”
“I wish our players all the best and sincerely hope they qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, which acts as a stepping stone to the FIFA U17 World Cup, marking a significant advancement in the development of Indian football,” he added.
Harsh Sanghavi, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs of Gujarat, stated, “This is a proud occasion for Indian football and Gujarat. It’s a chance for the state to showcase its passion for the beautiful game, its exceptional hospitality, and our growing football culture. Hosting such a prestigious event will place Ahmedabad firmly on the Asian football map.”
The 38 teams in the qualifiers are categorized into six pots based on seeding, reflecting their performance in the last three tournaments (2025, 2023, and 2018).
India is in Pot 2 but will be allocated to an additional Hosts Pot in the draw to ensure that all host nations are placed in different groups. The other six hosts are China PR, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic, and Jordan.
Here are the pots for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Draw:
Pot 1: Australia, Yemen, IR Iran, Oman, Thailand
Pot 2: Afghanistan, Malaysia, Iraq, Bangladesh, Laos, Kuwait
Pot 3: Singapore, Bahrain, Philippines, Turkmenistan, Palestine
Pot 4: Syria, Mongolia, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Brunei Darussalam
Pot 5: Nepal, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Lebanon
Pot 6: Macau, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
Hosts Pot: China PR, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic, Jordan.
Qualifiers Dates: November 22-30, 2025
Venue: The Arena, Ahmedabad
Point of View
But a significant step forward in nurturing young talent in Indian football. The event will provide a platform for the players to gain invaluable experience in an international setting.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers take place?
The qualifiers are scheduled from November 22 to 30, 2025.
Where will the matches be held?
All matches will be held at The Arena in Ahmedabad.
How many countries will participate in the qualifiers?
A total of 38 countries will compete in the qualifiers.
What is at stake for the group winners?
Group winners will qualify for the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
Who are the other host countries?
The other host countries are China PR, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic, and Jordan.
