Youth & Pathways
CommBank Australian U23s discover AFC Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Group Stage challengers
The CommBank Australian U23s learnt their opponents at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 following the Official Draw ceremony at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Tony Vidmar's men have been drawn in Group D against top seed and 2013 champions Iraq as well as Thailand and China PR.
Australia have qualified for every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2013 after finishing top of their group in the qualifiers thanks to a 14-0 win to Northern Mariana Islands, a 6-0 win against Timor-Leste and a 0-0 draw against China PR in early September.
The 16-strong cast were divided into four groups for the seventh edition of the tournament that will begin on 6, January 2026. The AFC will confirm the match schedule in due course.
The top two finishers of each group will progress to the Knockout Stage, with the Final showdown to be contested on January 24, 2026.
The top two finishers of each group will progress to the Knockout Stage, with the Final showdown to be contested on January 24, 2026.
You can watch a replay of the Official Draw Ceremony HERE.
Draw Result
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Jordan, Kyrgyz Republic
Group B: Japan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Syria
Group C: Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, IR Iran, Lebanon
Group D: Iraq, Australia, Thailand, China PR
Group B: Japan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Syria
Group C: Uzbekistan, Korea Republic, IR Iran, Lebanon
Group D: Iraq, Australia, Thailand, China PR
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