Translated with AI
On May 29, the draw for the qualifying round of the 2026 Asian Cup among teams under 23 in football took place in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The Central Asian teams also learned their opponents, Fergana.ru reports.
Group E included the national teams of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Palestine and Sri Lanka were also there.
Tajikistan was drawn into Group K with Syria, the Philippines and Nepal.
The Turkmen team found itself in Group A with Jordan, Taiwan and Bhutan.
The qualifying matches will be held in a centralized format in one round – in one of the countries of the representative of each quartet. In particular, the matches of Group E will be held in Bishkek, Group K – in Dushanbe, Group A – in Amman, Jordan. All games are scheduled for September of this year.
The group winners and the four best second-placed teams will advance to the Asian Cup finals.
It should be noted that the Northern Mariana Islands team, whose federation is not a member of FIFA, will make its debut in the tournament. This team will play against Australia, China and East Timor. The youth team of Bhutan will also make its debut, but this country's federation is a member of FIFA. At the same time, the DPRK team refused to participate in the tournament.
The AFC U-23 Cup will be held from 7 to 25 January 2026 in Saudi Arabia.
