The AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 begins on May 1, 2026, in Suzhou, marking another major youth football event in Asia. Young talents from across the continent will compete on one of the biggest junior stages.
This edition includes 12 national teams, divided into three groups, making it larger than earlier formats. This tournament serves as the official qualifying route for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
In this article, you will find all the details of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, including the schedule, group structure, venues, and more.
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Schedule
All matches of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will be played in Suzhou, starting from May 1, 2026, and concluding with the final on May 17, 2026.
Here is the complete schedule of the tournament:
| Date | Group& Stage | Match | IST / GMT Time | Local Time (Suzhou) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2026 | Group A | Thailand vs Vietnam | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 1, 2026 | Group A | China PR vs Myanmar | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 2, 2026 | Group B | Japan vs Lebanon | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 2, 2026 | Group B | Australia vs India | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 2, 2026 | Group C | Korea Republic vs Philippines | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 2, 2026 | Group C | DPR Korea vs Chinese Taipei | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 4, 2026 | Group A | Myanmar vs Thailand | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 4, 2026 | Group A | Vietnam vs China PR | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 5, 2026 | Group B | Lebanon vs Australia | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 5, 2026 | Group B | India vs Japan | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 5, 2026 | Group C | Chinese Taipei vs Korea Republic | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 5, 2026 | Group C | Philippines vs DPR Korea | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 7, 2026 | Group A | Vietnam vs Myanmar | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 7, 2026 | Group A | China PR vs Thailand | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 8, 2026 | Group B | India vs Lebanon | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 8, 2026 | Group B | Japan vs Australia | 10:30 AM IST / 5:00 AM GMT | 13:00 (1:00 PM) |
| May 8, 2026 | Group C | Philippines vs Chinese Taipei | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 8, 2026 | Group C | DPR Korea vs Korea Republic | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 11, 2026 | Quarter-Final | 1st Group B vs 2nd Group C | 10:00 AM IST / 4:30 AM GMT | 12:30 (12:30 PM) |
| May 11, 2026 | Quarter-Final | 2nd Group A vs 2nd Group B | 10:00 AM IST / 4:30 AM GMT | 12:30 (12:30 PM) |
| May 11, 2026 | Quarter-Final | 1st Group C vs 3rd Group A/B | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 11, 2026 | Quarter-Final | 1st Group A vs 3rd Group B/C | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 14, 2026 | Semi-Final | Winner QF1 vs Winner QF2 | 10:00 AM IST / 4:30 AM GMT | 12:30 (12:30 PM) |
| May 14, 2026 | Semi-Final | Winner QF3 vs Winner QF4 | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
| May 17, 2026 | Final | TBC vs TBC | 2:30 PM IST / 9:00 AM GMT | 17:00 (5:00 PM) |
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Teams And Group Distribution
The AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 features 12 teams, divided into three groups of four teams each. These teams will compete in the group stage, with the top sides advancing to the knockout rounds.
Group A
| Group | Team |
|---|---|
| Group A | China PR |
| Group A | Thailand |
| Group A | Vietnam |
| Group A | Myanmar |
Group B
| Group | Team |
|---|---|
| Group B | Japan |
| Group B | Australia |
| Group B | India |
| Group B | Lebanon |
Group C
| Group | Team |
|---|---|
| Group C | DPR Korea |
| Group C | Korea Republic |
| Group C | Philippines |
| Group C | Chinese Taipei |
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Squads
The official squads for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 are yet to be announced, as final team lists are expected to be released closer to the tournament start in May 2026.
However, based on the recent qualification phase, teams have already built strong preliminary squads featuring promising young talents preparing for the main event.
During the qualifiers, India, coached by Joakim Alexandersson, named a 23-player squad that included notable players such as Alena Devi Sarangthem in defense and Anita Dungdung in midfield.
Meanwhile, Australia prepared with youth players drawn from domestic development systems, including clubs like Melbourne City FC and Sydney FC, highlighting the depth in their youth structure.
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Venues
All matches of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will be hosted in Suzhou, with games taking place across multiple modern football facilities.
These venues are equipped with high-quality pitches and infrastructure, ensuring smooth scheduling and a professional playing environment throughout the tournament.
Suzhou Sports Center Stadium
The Suzhou Sports Center Stadium will serve as one of the primary venues for the tournament, hosting several key matches, including knockout fixtures.
Known for its well-maintained playing surface and spectator facilities, the stadium is one of the major football hubs in Suzhou and is regularly used for domestic and international football events.
Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center Pitch 1
The Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center Pitch 1 is designated as one of the main group-stage venues.
This pitch is part of a larger football complex designed specifically for hosting youth and professional football tournaments, offering modern training and match-day facilities.
Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center Pitch 4
The Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center Pitch 4 will host several group-stage matches during the competition. The venue is equipped with high-quality turf and player facilities, making it suitable for international youth competitions and multi-match scheduling.
Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center Pitch 8
The Suzhou Taihu Football Sports Center Pitch 8 is another important venue included in the match rotation.
It supports multiple fixtures during the group stage and provides consistent playing conditions similar to other pitches within the Taihu Football Sports Center complex.
Where to Watch the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Live
You can watch the matches of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 live through the official AFC Asian Cup YouTube channel and FanCode in India.
Here is the further breakdown of several regional broadcasters providing coverage across different countries.
| Region | Broadcaster / Streaming Platform |
|---|---|
| India | FanCode (App & Website) |
| Australia | 10 ViacomCBS (Network 10 / Paramount+) |
| China | CCTV and iQiyi |
| Japan | DAZN |
| Middle East (MENA) | beIN Sports or Al Kass |
| South Korea | Coupang Play or tvN Sports |
| Southeast Asia | RCTI+ (Indonesia), FPT (Vietnam) |
AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers Results Overview
The qualifiers for the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 featured strong performances from several teams aiming to secure their spots in the final tournament. Early matches saw competitive contests as teams pushed hard to qualify.
India recorded an important 2–1 win over Uzbekistan, helping them qualify for the tournament after a nearly 20-year gap. The victory marked a significant moment for the team’s youth football progress.
In other results, the Philippines secured a dominant 5–0 victory against Syria, while Malaysia defeated Tajikistan 2–0. These wins played a key role in confirming the teams that advanced to the main tournament.
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Conclusion: The AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup Starts On May 1 2026
The AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 is set to begin on May 1, 2026, bringing together top youth teams from across Asia for an exciting competition.
With well-balanced groups and a packed match schedule, the tournament is expected to deliver competitive football right from the opening day.
Teams like Japan, Australia, and India will aim to make a strong impact, while traditional contenders such as DPR Korea and China PR remain among the favorites.
As the tournament progresses in Suzhou, it will be exciting to see which team maintains consistency and ultimately emerges as the champion.
