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AFC U23 Asian Cup
Fifteen teams - the 11 group winners and four best runners-up overall - booked their tickets to join hosts and 2022 champions Saudi Arabia at the Finals, scheduled for January 7 to 25, 2026.
The cast includes all five previous winners of the continental showpiece with Kyrgyz Republic and Lebanon set to make their debuts at the Finals.
Jordan booked their ticket after a flawless performance was capped by a 2-1 win over Turkmenistan on Tuesday, with the West Asian side finishing with nine points.
Japan advanced as the Group B winners, with the defending champions cruising 6-1 past Kuwait on Tuesday to end their qualification campaign with three wins.
Vietnam - runners-up in 2018 - were equally dominant in Group C, edging Yemen 1-0 in their final fixture for a perfect record.
Australia topped Group D after playing to a goalless draw with China PR, with both teams finishing on seven points.
China PR booked their ticket to the Finals as one of the best four second-placed sides.
Kyrgyz Republic confirmed a debut appearance at the Finals after emerging the Group E winners with a 6-0 win against Sri Lanka, finishing ahead of 2018 champions Uzbekistan on goal difference with both teams garnering seven points.
Uzbekistan, who defeated Palestine 2-1 thanks to a late goal, also advanced to the Finals as one of the best four runners-up.
Thailand also needed a late goal to defeat Malaysia 2-1, with the win seeing them finish as the Group F winners ahead of Lebanon on goal difference.
There was joy for Lebanon - who beat Mongolia 3-0 - as they also qualified for the first time as one of the best four runners-up.
Uzbekistan, who defeated Palestine 2-1 thanks to a late goal, also advanced to the Finals as one of the best four runners-up.
Thailand also needed a late goal to defeat Malaysia 2-1, with the win seeing them finish as the Group F winners ahead of Lebanon on goal difference.
There was joy for Lebanon - who beat Mongolia 3-0 - as they also qualified for the first time as one of the best four runners-up.
Iraq, champions of the inaugural edition in 2013, settled for a goalless draw with Cambodia but it was enough to take the Group G top spot.
Qatar emerged the Group H winners after two stoppage time goals sealed them a 2-1 win against Bahrain.
Islamic Republic of Iran - who missed the previous edition - confirmed a return to the Finals as the Group I winners with a 3-2 defeat of the United Arab Emirates, who also booked a ticket as one of the best four runners-up.
Korea Republic, champions in 2020, topped Group J with a perfect record following a 1-0 defeat of Indonesia while Syria defeated Tajikistan 1-0 with a last gasp goal for three wins out of three in Group K.
The draw for the Finals is scheduled for October 2, 2025.
The Cast
Group A: Jordan
Group B: Japan
Group C: Vietnam
Group D: Australia
Group E: Kyrgyz Republic
Group F: Thailand
Group G: Iraq
Group H: Qatar
Group I: IR Iran
Group J: Korea Republic
Group K: Syria
Best 4 Runners-up
China PR (Group D)
Uzbekistan (Group E)
Lebanon (Group F)
United Arab Emirates (Group I)
Hosts
Saudi Arabia
Group A: Jordan
Group B: Japan
Group C: Vietnam
Group D: Australia
Group E: Kyrgyz Republic
Group F: Thailand
Group G: Iraq
Group H: Qatar
Group I: IR Iran
Group J: Korea Republic
Group K: Syria
Best 4 Runners-up
China PR (Group D)
Uzbekistan (Group E)
Lebanon (Group F)
United Arab Emirates (Group I)
Hosts
Saudi Arabia
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