As hosts, China PR will be expected to shine and the burden of leading the squad will be on Shi Songchen. The centre-back, 19, plays his club football Shandong Taishan's B side.

The forward struck both goals in Australia's opening win against Afghanistan and will be expected to lead their charge. The 19-year-old plays his club football with Adelaide United.

The 19-year-old forward played a crucial part in Kyrgyz Republic qualifying for the Finals, scoring twice as the Central Asian side impressively finished level on seven points with Japan in Group I.

 

Skipper Mohammadali led from the front in Group J of the Qualifiers, with the 19-year-old midfielder scoring once in each match as Qatar finished with a perfect nine points.

The captain was a pillar of strength as Iraq topped Group H with nine points, with the 20-year-old midfielder also chipping in three goals in what was an impressive qualifying campaign for the West Asian side.

 

Jordan advanced as one of the five best second-placed teams with 19-year-old Fakhoury playing his part to perfection, contributing three goals as his side finished second behind Qatar in Group J of the Qualifiers.

Alkhaibari starred with five goals - the highest in the Qualifiers - as Saudi Arabia topped Group D with 10 points. The 19-year-old forward will be expected to again lead his side's charge in their bid to win the title for a fourth time.

 

Ri, 20, stood out in a strong DPR Korea side that cruised to the Group E top spot in the Qualifiers, finishing four points ahead of Oman. The forward netted four goals and will be expected to contribute more in DPR Korea's bid to advance to the knockout stage for the first time since finishing runners-up in 2014.

The AFC U20 Asian Cup has been the springboard to success for several players from Uzbekistan in recent years and Saidnurullayev will be hoping to follow in their footsteps with a sterling performance at China 2025. The 20-year-old midfielder netted four goals in the Qualifiers and will be expected to add to his tally as Uzbekistan look to defend their title.

 

The midfielder netted three goals as Islamic Republic of Iran cruised through qualifying with a perfect nine points. Gholizadeh will be pivotal to Iran's bid to land the title.

The midfielder impressed with three goals in the Qualifiers as Indonesia topped Group F ahead of Yemen, Timor-Leste and Maldives. The 19-year-old is plying his trade in the Netherlands with Dordrecht's youth squad.

 

Among the youngest players in the Qualifiers at 16, Abdulnabi showed maturity as he netted twice to help steer his side into the Finals. Essentially a right winger, Abdulnabi plays for Al Wahda Eden Youth in Yemen.

Soma Kanda impressed in the Qualifiers, netting three goals as Japan topped Group I with seven points. The 19-year-old Kawasaki Frontale forward has already tasted AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 action and will look to help Japan win the title for only a second time.

 

Korea Republic will be bidding for a record extending 13th title and despite their attacking options, defender and skipper Shim will be crucial to their campaign as the East Asians will need stability at the back in what is an extremely challenging group.

Syria were unstoppable in Group A of the Qualifiers as they booked their ticket with a perfect record of 12 points. Dahhan played a major part, with the 19-year-old forward finding the back of the net four times and he will be relishing the challenge of taking on defenders from Japan and Korea Republic.

 

Thailand advanced as one of the best five second-placed teams and they had Ryan to thank with the forward contributing five of their goals. The Southeast Asian side will need the 19-year-old to be at his best if they are to advance from a very tough Group D.