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Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Rakan Al Ghamdi struck late as Saudi Arabia edged a plucky Kyrgyz Republic 1-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Debutants Kyrgyz Republic, reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute, looked on course for a point after goalkeeper Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov had saved Musab Al Juwayr’s penalty but Al Nassr Club’s Al Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-saudi-arabia-v-kyrgyz-republic

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Jeddah:  First half goals steered Vietnam to a winning start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ with a 2-0 defeat of Jordan on Tuesday.

Kim Sang-sik’s side optimised their set-pieces to great effect to put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals from Group A, with debutants Kyrgyz Republic their next opponents on Friday with Jordan facing Saudi Arabia.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-vietnam-v-jordan

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Lebanon

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Lebanon

Riyadh: Uzbekistan are upbeat about their chances at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ ahead of their opening Group C tie against Lebanon on Wednesday.

The 2018 champions made the final in the last two editions, and head coach Ravshan Khaydarov wants to take his team to the winners’ podium this time around. 

Preview - Group B: Qatar v UAE

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group B: Qatar v UAE

Jeddah: United Arab Emirates’ confidence is sky high heading into their opening AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group B tie against Qatar on Wednesday.

Head coach Marcelo Broli believes that his UAE side will benefit from their lengthy preparation as they seek a winning start to their campaign.

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Riyadh:  Korea Republic are determined to kick off their campaign on a winning note when they face Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C opening tie on Wednesday.

The 2020 champions are aiming to go all the way after making their exit at the quarter-final stage in the last two editions, and head coach Lee min-Sung is confident of their chances.

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Jeddah: Japan know there will be no room for error when they open their title defence against Syria in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Wednesday.

Go Oiwa’s side are bidding to become the first nation to lift the title for the third time and the head coach is fully aware that a strong start is vital in a competition where early momentum can define a campaign.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-saudi-arabia-2026-|-match-day-1-preview

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will be confident of claiming maximum points when they open their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A campaign against debutants Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday.

The 2022 champions not only have home ground advantage on their side but will head into the tournament having lifted the U23 Gulf Cup 2025 recently. 

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Jordan

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Jordan

Jeddah: Omar Nahji and Kim Sang-sik both expect a positive start from their respective sides when Jordan and Vietnam meet in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Nahji is eyeing maximum points to ensure that Jordan will have the opportunity to manage the subsequent games against Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic better, with Vietnam’s Kim also targeting the same. 

#AFCU23 squads announced

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

#AFCU23 squads announced

Jeddah: The 16 contenders for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ have named the squads they hope will steer them to glory.

With just two days remaining until the seventh edition of AFC U23 Asian Cup kicks off, squads featuring the continent’s rising stars have been revealed and the-AFC.com highlights one player per team to look out for.

Photos

Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Rakan Al Ghamdi struck late as Saudi Arabia edged a plucky Kyrgyz Republic 1-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Debutants Kyrgyz Republic, reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute, looked on course for a point after goalkeeper Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov had saved Musab Al Juwayr’s penalty but Al Nassr Club’s Al Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-saudi-arabia-v-kyrgyz-republic

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Jeddah:  First half goals steered Vietnam to a winning start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ with a 2-0 defeat of Jordan on Tuesday.

Kim Sang-sik’s side optimised their set-pieces to great effect to put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals from Group A, with debutants Kyrgyz Republic their next opponents on Friday with Jordan facing Saudi Arabia.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-vietnam-v-jordan

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Lebanon

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Lebanon

Riyadh: Uzbekistan are upbeat about their chances at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ ahead of their opening Group C tie against Lebanon on Wednesday.

The 2018 champions made the final in the last two editions, and head coach Ravshan Khaydarov wants to take his team to the winners’ podium this time around. 

Preview - Group B: Qatar v UAE

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group B: Qatar v UAE

Jeddah: United Arab Emirates’ confidence is sky high heading into their opening AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group B tie against Qatar on Wednesday.

Head coach Marcelo Broli believes that his UAE side will benefit from their lengthy preparation as they seek a winning start to their campaign.

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Riyadh:  Korea Republic are determined to kick off their campaign on a winning note when they face Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C opening tie on Wednesday.

The 2020 champions are aiming to go all the way after making their exit at the quarter-final stage in the last two editions, and head coach Lee min-Sung is confident of their chances.

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Jeddah: Japan know there will be no room for error when they open their title defence against Syria in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Wednesday.

Go Oiwa’s side are bidding to become the first nation to lift the title for the third time and the head coach is fully aware that a strong start is vital in a competition where early momentum can define a campaign.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-saudi-arabia-2026-|-match-day-1-preview

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will be confident of claiming maximum points when they open their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A campaign against debutants Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday.

The 2022 champions not only have home ground advantage on their side but will head into the tournament having lifted the U23 Gulf Cup 2025 recently. 

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Jordan

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Jordan

Jeddah: Omar Nahji and Kim Sang-sik both expect a positive start from their respective sides when Jordan and Vietnam meet in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Nahji is eyeing maximum points to ensure that Jordan will have the opportunity to manage the subsequent games against Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic better, with Vietnam’s Kim also targeting the same. 

#AFCU23 squads announced

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

#AFCU23 squads announced

Jeddah: The 16 contenders for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ have named the squads they hope will steer them to glory.

With just two days remaining until the seventh edition of AFC U23 Asian Cup kicks off, squads featuring the continent’s rising stars have been revealed and the-AFC.com highlights one player per team to look out for.

Videos

Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Saudi Arabia 1-0 Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Rakan Al Ghamdi struck late as Saudi Arabia edged a plucky Kyrgyz Republic 1-0 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Debutants Kyrgyz Republic, reduced to 10 men in the 34th minute, looked on course for a point after goalkeeper Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov had saved Musab Al Juwayr’s penalty but Al Nassr Club’s Al Ghamdi struck in the 88th minute as 2022 champions Saudi Arabia got off to a winning start. 

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-saudi-arabia-v-kyrgyz-republic

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Group A: Vietnam 2-0 Jordan

Jeddah:  First half goals steered Vietnam to a winning start in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ with a 2-0 defeat of Jordan on Tuesday.

Kim Sang-sik’s side optimised their set-pieces to great effect to put themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals from Group A, with debutants Kyrgyz Republic their next opponents on Friday with Jordan facing Saudi Arabia.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/photo/group-a-vietnam-v-jordan

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Lebanon

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: Uzbekistan v Lebanon

Riyadh: Uzbekistan are upbeat about their chances at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ ahead of their opening Group C tie against Lebanon on Wednesday.

The 2018 champions made the final in the last two editions, and head coach Ravshan Khaydarov wants to take his team to the winners’ podium this time around. 

Preview - Group B: Qatar v UAE

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group B: Qatar v UAE

Jeddah: United Arab Emirates’ confidence is sky high heading into their opening AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group B tie against Qatar on Wednesday.

Head coach Marcelo Broli believes that his UAE side will benefit from their lengthy preparation as they seek a winning start to their campaign.

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group C: Korea Republic v IR Iran

Riyadh:  Korea Republic are determined to kick off their campaign on a winning note when they face Islamic Republic of Iran in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group C opening tie on Wednesday.

The 2020 champions are aiming to go all the way after making their exit at the quarter-final stage in the last two editions, and head coach Lee min-Sung is confident of their chances.

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group B: Japan v Syria

Jeddah: Japan know there will be no room for error when they open their title defence against Syria in Group B of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ on Wednesday.

Go Oiwa’s side are bidding to become the first nation to lift the title for the third time and the head coach is fully aware that a strong start is vital in a competition where early momentum can define a campaign.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u23_asian_cup.html/video/afcu23-saudi-arabia-2026-|-match-day-1-preview

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 07 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Saudi Arabia v Kyrgyz Republic

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia will be confident of claiming maximum points when they open their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A campaign against debutants Kyrgyz Republic on Tuesday.

The 2022 champions not only have home ground advantage on their side but will head into the tournament having lifted the U23 Gulf Cup 2025 recently. 

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Jordan

Tue, 06 Jan, 2026

Preview - Group A: Vietnam v Jordan

Jeddah: Omar Nahji and Kim Sang-sik both expect a positive start from their respective sides when Jordan and Vietnam meet in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group A opener on Tuesday.

Nahji is eyeing maximum points to ensure that Jordan will have the opportunity to manage the subsequent games against Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyz Republic better, with Vietnam’s Kim also targeting the same. 

#AFCU23 squads announced

Mon, 05 Jan, 2026

#AFCU23 squads announced

Jeddah: The 16 contenders for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ have named the squads they hope will steer them to glory.

With just two days remaining until the seventh edition of AFC U23 Asian Cup kicks off, squads featuring the continent’s rising stars have been revealed and the-AFC.com highlights one player per team to look out for.