AFC U17 Asian Cup
Ahead of the tournament kicking off on Tuesday, the-AFC.com highlights the facts and figures that have and will define the competition.
Japan in front
Saudi Arabia 2026 is the 21st edition of the tournament, with Japan leading the trophy count with four. China PR, DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan have each lifted the trophy twice.
Long waits
The last of Saudi Arabia's two titles was won in 1988, with the hosts finishing runners-up in last year's edition. In fact, several former winners have been waiting for years to add to their haul, with Qatar (1990), Thailand (1998), Korea Republic (2002) and China PR (2004) aiming to end their waits.
Saudi Arabia 2026 is the 21st edition of the tournament, with Japan leading the trophy count with four. China PR, DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan have each lifted the trophy twice.
Long waits
The last of Saudi Arabia's two titles was won in 1988, with the hosts finishing runners-up in last year's edition. In fact, several former winners have been waiting for years to add to their haul, with Qatar (1990), Thailand (1998), Korea Republic (2002) and China PR (2004) aiming to end their waits.
Tough to defend
Japan are the only team to have won back-to-back titles - in 2018 and 2023 (2020 edition was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic). They were also champions in 1994 and 2006.
Unlucky Qatar
Qatar, however, have qualified for the final six times - one more than Japan. Besides their title triumph in 1990, the West Asian nation finished runners-up in 1985, 1986, 1992, 1994 and 1998.
Japan are the only team to have won back-to-back titles - in 2018 and 2023 (2020 edition was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic). They were also champions in 1994 and 2006.
Unlucky Qatar
Qatar, however, have qualified for the final six times - one more than Japan. Besides their title triumph in 1990, the West Asian nation finished runners-up in 1985, 1986, 1992, 1994 and 1998.
Myanmar on a mission
Myanmar are the only side among the 16 teams at Saudi Arabia 2026 who will be seeking progression to the knockout stage for the first time, having ended their campaign at the first step in 1986, 2000, 2002 and 2006.
Lethal China PR
China PR will head into the tournament with confidence after impressing in the Qualifiers with five wins, an astonishing 40 goals scored and none conceded. Vietnam registered 30 goals with their defence also not breached and both will be aiming to carry that form into Saudi Arabia 2026.
Myanmar are the only side among the 16 teams at Saudi Arabia 2026 who will be seeking progression to the knockout stage for the first time, having ended their campaign at the first step in 1986, 2000, 2002 and 2006.
Lethal China PR
China PR will head into the tournament with confidence after impressing in the Qualifiers with five wins, an astonishing 40 goals scored and none conceded. Vietnam registered 30 goals with their defence also not breached and both will be aiming to carry that form into Saudi Arabia 2026.
Tight qualifying campaigns
India and Thailand will be hoping for a more serene group stage after squeezing into the Finals, with the former finishing ahead of Islamic Republic of Iran after both sides were tied on seven points in the Qualifiers. Thailand edged Turkmenistan and Kuwait to the spot, with all three garnering nine points.
FIFA U-17 World Cup lure
Qualifying for the quarter-finals will mean tickets to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, setting the stage for high octane action from the first blow of the whistle.
India and Thailand will be hoping for a more serene group stage after squeezing into the Finals, with the former finishing ahead of Islamic Republic of Iran after both sides were tied on seven points in the Qualifiers. Thailand edged Turkmenistan and Kuwait to the spot, with all three garnering nine points.
FIFA U-17 World Cup lure
Qualifying for the quarter-finals will mean tickets to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, setting the stage for high octane action from the first blow of the whistle.
Click HERE for the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ squad lists.
