U23 Asian Cup 2026, hosted by Saudi Arabia, is poised to burst into life with the knock-out stage following the completion of the group phase on Wednesday, as all eight quarter-finalists were finally confirmed.
Australia U23 and China PR U23 were the last teams to punch their tickets from Group D, completing the line-up alongside six sides who had already secured progression earlier in the tournament.
U23 Asian Cup 2026: U23 Vietnam and Japan booked quarterfinals tickets with perfect records
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Group D: Australia edged Iraq as Thailand failed to score against China PR
Group D concluded in dramas as U23 Thailand was only one win away from their ticket to the Qf. However, an ecstatic China PR head coach, Antonio Puche, told his side to savour their historic achievement after the East Asian side qualified for their first AFC U23 Asian Cup™ quarter-finals on Wednesday.
A goalless draw with Thailand in their final Group D match in Saudi Arabia 2026 meant they advanced to the knockout stage after five previous unsuccessful attempts, with 2018 champions Uzbekistan their opponents on Saturday.
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Meanwhile, the young Socceroos left it late to come back and defeat Iraq 2-1 in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ Group D tie on Wednesday.
Trailing to Ammori Faisal’s 63rd-minute penalty, Australia hit back in added-on time through Yaya Dukuly and Mathias Macallister to advance in stunning fashion, topping the group with six points and setting up a quarter-final encounter with Korea Republic on Saturday.
Vietnam set the benchmark in Group A
Vietnam U23 emerged as one of the standout performers of the group stage, finishing top of Group A with a perfect nine-point haul. Victories over Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Kyrgyz Republic underlined Vietnam’s consistency and growing authority at the U23 level.
Jordan U23 followed as runners-up and now face a daunting test against Group B winners Japan U23. Also advancing from Group A were the United Arab Emirates U23, who are set to meet Vietnam in an intriguing quarter-final clash.
Japan, meanwhile, remain firmly on course to make history. The defending champions are chasing an unprecedented third title and aiming to become the first nation to successfully retain the U23 Asian Cup crown.
Former champions await decisive battles
Group C saw two former winners progress, with Uzbekistan U23 and Korea Republic U23 occupying the top two positions. Uzbekistan, champions in 2018, will take on China PR, while Korea Republic — winners of the 2020 edition — are drawn against Australia.
Australia topped Group D after producing a dramatic comeback to defeat Iraq 2-1, finishing on six points. China PR followed closely, just one point behind, after grinding out a goalless draw with Thailand to seal second place.
Looking ahead, the winners of the Vietnam–United Arab Emirates tie will meet the victors of Uzbekistan versus China PR in the semi-finals, while either Japan or Jordan will progress to face Australia or Korea Republic in the last four.
AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ – Quarter-final Fixtures
| Date | Match | Venue | Kick-off (UTC+3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Japan U23 vs Jordan U23 | King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium, Jeddah | 14:30 |
| Vietnam U23 vs United Arab Emirates U23 | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah | 18:30 | |
| Saturday | Uzbekistan U23 vs China PR U23 | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah | 14:30 |
| Australia U23 vs Korea Republic U23 | King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium, Jeddah | 18:30 |
