AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 has concluded Group A and B, as the first two pairs of the quarterfinals are set
U23 Asian Cup 2026 – The group stage has concluded, as U23 Vietnam and U23 Japan took their group’s top spots with flawless records, while U23 Jordan and U23 UAE needed the final pushes to be certain of the next round’s places.
More football updates here on M88sports
Group C and Group D will soon finish before the last two clashes, as Uzbekistan has been the only team so far to advance to the quarterfinals.
AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026: Results and shock reveals on Vietnam’s team
Vietnam and Japan cruise through with perfect records.
Two familiar names at the youth level have emerged with maximum points. U23 Vietnam and U23 Japan both advanced to the quarterfinals with flawless group-stage campaigns, collecting three wins from three matches to finish top of Groups A and B, respectively.
For Vietnam, the achievement carries particular weight. Their passage to the knock-out rounds was sealed in emphatic fashion with a 1-0 victory over hosts U23 Saudi Arabia, a result that not only confirmed top spot in Group A but also sent shockwaves through the tournament.
Where to watch live football: Top 10 streaming sites
Đình Bắc sends hosts crashing out.
Vietnam’s decisive group match against Saudi Arabia was played under intense pressure, with the hosts needing a result to stay alive. Yet it was the Southeast Asian side who showed greater composure and tactical discipline. After a balanced first half, the breakthrough came in the second period when Đình Bắc scored the winning goal, silencing the home crowd and underlining Vietnam’s growing maturity at the continental level.
That defeat proved terminal for Saudi Arabia. Despite their pedigree and home advantage, the West Asian side exited at the group stage after managing just one victory from three matches — a deeply disappointing outcome for a team widely tipped to progress.
Vietnam’s win also reshaped the group dynamics elsewhere. Taking full advantage, U23 Jordan defeated U23 Kyrgyz Republic in the simultaneous fixture, allowing them to climb into second place in Group A and claim the remaining quarterfinal berth behind Vietnam.
Japan underlined champion credentials.
If Vietnam impressed through efficiency and resilience, Japan dominated Group B with authority bordering on ruthless. The defending champions swept aside their opponents, scoring 10 goals and conceding none, leaving little doubt about their status as tournament favourites.
Head coach Go Oiwa’s side showed no sign of easing up in their final group match against U23 Qatar. Goals from Shusuke Furuya and Ryunosuke Sato secured a comfortable 2-0 victory, completing a perfect nine-point haul and confirming top spot in Group B.
Beyond the numbers, Japan’s performances have been notable for their balance. Defensive solidity has been matched by sharp movement and clinical finishing in attack, suggesting a team operating with both confidence and clarity as they look to retain the title.
UAE edge through on goal difference
The second quarterfinal place in Group B went to U23 UAE, though their path was far less commanding. UAE booked their knock-out spot thanks to a 1-1 draw with U23 Syria in the final round of group matches.
Both sides finished on four points, but the UAE progressed courtesy of a superior goal difference (–1 compared to Syria’s –4). While not spectacular, the result was enough to see the Gulf side safely into the quarterfinals, where sterner tests now await.
Quarterfinal matchups confirmed for Groups A and B
With the group standings finalised, the first two quarterfinal ties are now set. Vietnam will face the UAE in a matchup that pits Southeast Asian momentum against West Asian pragmatism. Meanwhile, Japan continue their title defence against Jordan, a side that arrives with confidence after capitalising on Saudi Arabia’s slip.
On paper, Japan appear a clear favourite, but Jordan’s resilience and counter-attacking threat could pose questions if the champions lose focus. Vietnam versus UAE, meanwhile, promises to be one of the most tactically intriguing encounters of the knock-out phase.
All to play for in Groups C and D
While clarity has emerged in the top half of the draw, uncertainty still reigns in Groups C and D. The final two quarterfinal places remain undecided, with U23 China, U23 Iraq, U23 Thailand and U23 Australia all still in contention.
