Twenty-Nine Teams Will Begin Qualifying for Asian Cup
The 2027 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup qualifying tournament begins on October 8 with a record number of participants.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Soccer
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Twenty-nine nations will begin the qualification process for the 2027 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup on October 8, 2026. This participation level marks the largest field in the history of the competition.
Why it matters
The expanded field highlights the increasing growth and interest in women's youth soccer across the Asian Football Confederation. Securing a spot in the finals requires teams to win their respective groups to join the four automatic qualifiers.
Twenty-nine teams are competing for eight available spots in the tournament finals. This surpasses the previous participation record of 28 nations set in 2019.
The players
Asian Football Confederation
The governing body for soccer in Asia that oversees the organization of the U17 Women's Asian Cup.
Bhutan
A nation that will participate in the qualifying tournament for the AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup for the first time.
The details
The qualifying stage is divided into eight centralized groups, with only the winner of each group advancing to the final tournament in China. Bhutan will make its debut in the qualifying competition, while Iran has withdrawn from Group C.
Timeline
The previous participation record of 28 teams was set in 2019.
DPR Korea, Japan, Australia, and China qualified for the 2026 finals.
The qualifying competition begins on October 8, 2026.
The AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup finals are scheduled for 2027.
Season Trajectory
The record-breaking field size reflects a major shift in the competitive landscape of youth soccer within the Asian Football Confederation. By exceeding the participation figures of the 2019 AFC U17 Women's Asian Cup qualifying tournament, the sport continues to see rapid growth.
Only the winners of each of the eight qualifying groups will secure a place in the finals. Teams must navigate a competitive field that includes 29 nations to earn a spot alongside automatic qualifiers China, Japan, Australia, and DPR Korea.
The takeaway
The expansion of the qualification field demonstrates the increasing popularity of women's soccer among youth athletes across Asia. Fans should look to the group stage results to see which emerging nations challenge established powerhouses like Japan and Australia.
Further reading
For more updates on regional tournaments, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Inside World Football.
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Should youth athletic tournaments prioritize expanding the number of participating countries?
