The U-20 Asian Cup kicked off on Wednesday. The tournament will feature 16 teams competing for the championship.
Group A
China
Previous appearances: 18
Best finish: 1985, champion
2023 finish: quarter-finals
U-20 World Cup appearances: 5
How they got to this stage: host
Fun fact: China is making its 14th consecutive appearance in the U-20 Asian Cup finals.
Australia
Previous appearances: 8
Best finish: 2010, final
2023 finish: quarter-final
U-20 World Cup appearances: 15
How they reached this stage: As one of the five best second-place teams
Fun fact: Australia have reached the knockout stages in six of their eight appearances.
Kyrgyz Republic
Previous appearances: 2
Best finish: Group stage
2023 finish: Group stage
U-20 World Cup appearances: 0
How they reached this stage: As one of the five best second-place teams
Fun fact: Kyrgyzstan has never won a single match in the finals (D3, L3).
Qatar
Previous appearances: 15
Best result: 2014, champion
2023 result: Group stage
U-20 World Cup appearances: 4
How they reached this stage: As winners of Group J
Fun fact: Qatar will be participating in the U-20 AFC Asian Cup finals for the sixth time in a row.
Group B
Iraq
Previous appearances: 18
Best result: Champion (1975, 1977, 1978, 1988, 2000)
2023 result: Final
U-20 World Cup appearances: 5
How they reached this stage: As Group H winners
Fun fact: Iraq will be participating in the final stage of the U-20 AFC Asian Cup for the 10th time in a row.
Jordan
Previous appearances: 8
Best finish: Fourth place, 2006
2023 finish: Quarter-finals
U-20 World Cup appearances: 1
How they reached this stage: As one of the five best second-place teams
Fun fact: Jordan has not advanced beyond the quarter-finals since finishing fourth at the 2006 U-20 Asian Cup.
Saudi Arabia
Previous appearances: 15
Best result: Champion (1986, 1992, 2018)
2023 result: Group stage
U-20 World Cup appearances: 9
How they reached this stage: As winners of Group D
Fun fact: Saudi Arabia did not concede a single goal in the qualifying round.
North Korea
Previous appearances: 13
Best result: Champion (1976, 2006, 2010)
2023 result: Failed to qualify
U-20 World Cup appearances: 3
How they reached this stage: As Group E winners
Fun fact: In addition to their three championship titles, the Koreans have reached the finals in 1990 and 2014, where they finished second.
Group C
Uzbekistan
Previous appearances: 8
Best finish: Champion (2023)
2023 finish: Champion
U-20 World Cup appearances: 5
How they reached this stage: As Group B winners
Fun fact: Uzbekistan have reached the semi-finals in five of their previous eight appearances at the U-20 AFC Asian Cup.
Iran
Previous appearances: 21
Best result: Champion (1973, 1974, 1975, 1976)
2023 result: Quarter-finals
U-20 World Cup appearances: 3
How they reached this stage: As Group G winners
Fun fact: After winning four consecutive championships and finishing second once until 1977, Iran never reached the U-20 AFC Asian Cup finals again.
Indonesia
Previous appearances: 19
Best finish: Champion (1961)
2023 finish: Group stage
U-20 World Cup appearances: 1
How they reached this stage: As Group F winners
Fun fact: Indonesia went through the 2025 qualifiers unbeaten (2 wins, 1 draw).
Yemen
Previous appearances: 6
Best finish: Quarter-finals
2023 result: Failed to qualify
How they reached this stage: As one of the five best second-placed teams
Fun fact: Yemen will face familiar foe Indonesia again. The two teams drew 1-1 in Group F of the qualifiers.
Group D
Japan
Previous appearances: 38
Best finish: Champion (2016)
2023 finish: Semi-final
U-20 World Cup appearances: 11
How they reached this stage: As Group I winners
Fun fact: Japan have finished second in the tournament six times, including their 2016 win.
South Korea
Previous appearances: 39
Best finish: Champion (1959, 1960, 1963, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1990, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2012)
2023 finish: Semi-final
U-20 World Cup appearances: 16
How they reached this stage: As Group C winners
Fun fact: Korea Republic have only reached the final once since winning their 12th title in 2012 - losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in the deciding match in 2018.
Syria
Previous appearances: 11
Best finish: Champion (1994)
2023 finish: Group stage
U-20 World Cup appearances: 4
How they reached this stage: As Group A winners
Fun fact: Since winning the championship in 1994, Syria's best finish is fourth place in 2004.
Thailand
Previous appearances: 33
Best result: Champion (1962, 1969)
2023 result: Failed to qualify
U-20 World Cup appearances: -
How they reached this stage: As one of the five best second-place teams
Fun fact: Thailand is the third-most qualified nation to have appeared in the finals.
Source: the-afc.com Follow “Zamin” news on “Telegram”
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