—- Heading into the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2026 as the undisputed standard-bearers of women’s youth football, Asia’s elite quartet have been urged by AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa to uphold the continent’s legacy at the global showpiece.

Having remarkably conquered six of the previous nine iterations of the Under-17 showcase, the AFC’s formidable four-nation contingent—comprising debutants Australia, China PR, defending champions DPR Korea, and Japan—will spearhead the charge from October 17 to November 7.

All eyes will be on defending champions DPR Korea as they look to cement a place in the game’s century-long history with a record third consecutive title along with an unprecedented eighth combined world crown across the U17 and U20 women’s youth categories.

Shaikh Salman said: “The unrivalled pedigree of our representatives—from record champions to historic debutants—demonstrates the depth of talent within the AFC. All our praise must go to our exceptional Member Associations for their commitment to systemically produce world-class stars of tomorrow year after year.

“Our Continent’s dominance at this level is unparalleled, and our primary objective remains to ensure our teams succeed on the biggest international arenas. I have every faith that our young players will compete with courage, embrace the grand stage in Rabat, and write the next glorious chapter of Asian football history.”

The most successful side ever in this competition, four-time champions DPR Korea lead the charge in Group B, opening their back-to-back title defence at 3pm on Saturday, October 17, against tournament newcomers Puerto Rico on Pitch 2 of the Women’s Football Complex in Rabat. The East Asians will then shift their attention towards 2024 quarter-finalists Poland on Tuesday, October 20, before wrapping up their group commitments on Friday, October 23, with a high-stakes clash against 2022 third-place finishers Nigeria.

Japan’s hunt for a second world title begins at the same time the following day at Pitch 2 against a rising Zambia side coming off a 2025 Round of 16 breakthrough. The 2014 champions and two-time runners-up then face 2012 winners France on Wednesday, October 21, before their group phase culminates against two-time fourth-place finishers Venezuela on Saturday, October 24.

China PR take the field on Monday, October 19, on Pitch 1 at 3pm to launch their Group E campaign against 2024 group-stage finishers Kenya. Coming off their best-ever performance, where they advanced to the Round of 16 at the last edition, the young Steel Roses will look to build momentum ahead of their clash against Samoa on Thursday, October 22, who return for their second consecutive outing. The East Asians will then conclude their group on Sunday, October 25, in a marquee encounter against 2008 runners-up the United States.

Group F introduces AFC debutants Australia, who open their historic campaign on Monday, October 19 at 6pm on Pitch 4 against Chile, a side looking to build on past group-stage appearances. A challenging follow-up awaits the Junior Matildas on Thursday, October 22, on Pitch 2 against the highly decorated two-time champions and 2024 runners-up, Spain, before facing 2018 runners-up Mexico on Sunday, October 25.

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