New Delhi, Aug 5 (PTI) India is set to be one of the seven hosts for the upcoming AFC U-17 Asian Cup football qualifiers, which will take place from November 22 to 30. The qualifiers will see the action unfold at The Arena in Ahmedabad, which has been chosen as the venue for all matches.
The draw for the qualifiers is scheduled for August 7.
A total of 38 countries will be participating in the qualifiers. These teams will be drawn into seven groups, consisting of three groups with six teams each and four groups with five teams each.
Winners of these groups will earn spots in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, joining nine other AFC teams who have already qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed pride, stating, "It is a matter of great pride for India to host the AFC U-17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers, and I am particularly pleased to see Ahmedabad take center stage."
He added, "I sincerely hope that India qualifies for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, serving as a gateway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, marking another significant step in Indian football’s development journey."
Gujarat's sports minister, Harsh Sanghavi, highlighted the opportunity this event presents. "It allows the state to showcase its passion for football, world-class hospitality, and burgeoning football culture. Hosting such a prestigious event will place Ahmedabad firmly on the Asian football map," he said.
The 38 participating teams have been divided into six pots based on seeding, considering performances in the last three tournaments (2025, 2023, and 2018).
India is positioned in Pot 2, but will also be in an additional Hosts Pot to ensure that all hosts are drawn into separate groups. Alongside India, the other hosts that cannot be drawn together include China PR, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Kyrgyz Republic, and Jordan.
Pots for the AFC U-17 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.
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