Road to Uzbekistan 2027 begins for #AFCU17 hopefuls

—- The mission to reach the AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027™ gets underway on November 8 (Sunday) for the 35 teams in the 22nd edition of the Qualifiers.

The cast has been split evenly into seven groups to contest a single round-robin centralised league format until November 20, with only the winners advancing to the 22nd edition of the Finals in May 2027.

There, they join the nine AFC representatives from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 who have automatically qualified: Australia, China PR, Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

Among the hopefuls, 13 are aiming to qualify for the first time: Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chinese Taipei, Guam, Lebanon, Macau, Maldives, Mongolia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palestine, Philippines, Sri Lanka.

Group A
Myanmar | Padaythar Football Stadium and Starcity Sports Club Stadium, Yangon

Myanmar’s quest for a sixth Finals and second in a row ignites at 3pm in their 15th Qualifiers against Afghanistan at the Padaythar Football Stadium, with the visitors—in their ninth qualifying campaign—targeting a fourth appearance.

The simultaneous kick-off at the Starcity Sports Club Stadium finds Cambodia squaring off with the Philippines, contesting their 11th and 14th Qualifiers respectively.

On November 11 at the Padaythar Football Stadium, Indonesia open their 19th Qualifiers with an eye on a ninth showing—and third in a row—at 3pm by going up against the Philippines.

Group B
Thailand | Buriram City Stadium, Buriram

At their 20th Qualifiers, Hong Kong, China’s hunt for a return since their 2014 debut starts at 3pm against 2016 champions Iraq, who are playing in an 11th qualifying campaign as they seek a 11th involvement and first since 2018.

Taking part in qualification for a 14th and 17th occasion respectively, Maldives and Chinese Taipei then go head-to-head at 7pm.

Thailand’s home Qualifiers journey—their 19th—commences at 7pm on November 11 against Chinese Taipei, as the 1998 winners search for a 15th appearance and seventh in a row.

Group C
United Arab Emirates | Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium and Emirates Club Stadium, Ras Al-Khaimah

Each chasing a seventh Finals, Syria and Bangladesh’s absences date back to 2014 and 2006 respectively. They clash at 3.20pm at the Emirates Club Stadium, with this being the former’s 16th Qualifiers and their opponents’ 18th.

The 7.20pm fixture at the Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi Stadium finds Macau, China—in their 12th qualification attempt—against a Bhutan side hoping to notch a first-ever Qualifiers victory in their eighth campaign.

A home journey in their 20th Qualifiers pits the United Arab Emirates against Bhutan on November 11 at 7.20pm at the Emirates Club Stadium, with their sights set on a third consecutive Finals appearance and 10th overall.

Group D
Laos | Lao National Stadium KM16, Vientiane

In their 10th qualification participation, Sri Lanka’s opposition at 4pm are Pakistan, who will undertake their 13th Qualifiers with the mission to seal a first appearance since debuting in 2002 – also the longest absence among the entire cast.

The spotlight then switches to Laos and Jordan at 7pm, with both pursuing a fourth Finals berth. While the home side last featured in 2023, the visitors will be determined to make the Finals for the first time since 2018.

On November 11, 2008 champions Islamic Republic of Iran take on Pakistan at 4pm, with the Central Asians hoping to secure a 14th involvement in their 20th qualifying campaign.

Group E
Malaysia | Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium, Kuala Lumpur

The curtain rises at 3.30pm with Guam meeting Singapore as the former embark on a 15th qualification campaign while the latter—in their 19th Qualifiers—hope to edge closer to a return for the first time since 2008 and only their third overall.

Home fans then turn their attention to Malaysia’s opening assignment against Palestine at 9pm. The Southeast Asians enter their 21st Qualifiers chasing a seventh appearance, whereas the West Asians are at their 14th qualification campaign.

Three days later on November 11, India’s entrance into their 20th Qualifiers is at 9pm against Singapore, as they look to chalk up an 11th appearance and second in a row.

Group F
Kyrgyz Republic | Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek

The opening match at 2pm features a Northern Mariana Islands side trying to earn their first-ever point in their seventh Qualifiers, while Mongolia are playing their 11th qualifying campaign.

Kyrgyz Republic headline the 6pm battle against Turkmenistan, with both targeting only a second appearance. The hosts’ sole participation came in 2016, while the away side have not reached the Finals since 2008.

The focus then shifts to November 11 at 2pm when 2002 runners-up Yemen’s 15th qualification quest sparks to life against Mongolia, as they seek to extend their streak to six successive involvements and ninth overall.

Group G
Oman | Al Saadah Sport Complex, Salalah

A compelling all-Gulf contest at 5pm takes place between Bahrain and Kuwait. No side in this Qualifiers cast has contested more editions than Bahrain’s 22 and they are chasing an eighth Finals involvement and first since 2008; meanwhile, Kuwait’s most recent appearance—their fifth—came in 2014.

On the same day at 8pm, Brunei Darussalam go toe-to-toe with Lebanon as both enter the qualifying fray for an 11th occasion.

With ambitions of a 12th participation, Oman gear up for action on November 11 at 5pm against Lebanon. The two-time champions (1996, 2000), who most recently appeared in 2025, will be eager to make a winning start to their 19th Qualifiers at home.

Find the full AFC U17 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2027™ Qualifiers schedule here and follow the latest news here!

All times indicated are in respective local times.
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