The draw for the AFC U-20 Youth Cup 2025, which took place yesterday in China, resulted in our national team falling into the first group alongside China, Australia and Kyrgyzstan, which is one of the strongest groups in the tournament due to the presence of China, the owner of the stadium, the fans, and the Australian team.
The 42nd edition of this tournament will be held from February 12 to March 1, 2025.
The draw placed three teams from West Asia in the second group, where Iraq will play against Jordan and Saudi Arabia, in addition to North Korea.
The third group included the teams of Uzbekistan, Iran, Indonesia and Yemen, and the fourth group included Japan, South Korea, Syria and Thailand.
Among the 16 teams participating in the tournament, 12 of them are seeking to win the cup again, including Al-Anabi, the 2014 champion, and South Korea, which holds the record with 12 titles, and which hopes to win its thirteenth title and first since 2012, along with Uzbekistan, the holder of the edition’s title. Last year 2023 on its soil.
The top four finishers in the continental championship will reserve their place in the 2025 U-20 World Cup finals in Chile, where three teams – Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Yemen – are seeking to qualify for the global tournament for the first time.
Groups
– The first: China, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar
– Second: Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, North Korea
– Third: Uzbekistan, Iran, Indonesia, Yemen
– Fourth: Japan, South Korea, Syria, Thailand
