Flooring Guide by Cinvex – The 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup officially kicked off in Saudi Arabia, running from May 5 to May 22, 2026. This prestigious youth tournament serves as a vital stage for Asian nations to showcase the quality of their future football stars, with the Indonesia U-17 national team aiming to leave a lasting mark.
Carrying high spirits following a promising performance in the previous edition, the Garuda Muda squad—led by head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto—is determined to go deep into the tournament and secure a coveted ticket to the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Indonesia finds itself in a challenging Group B alongside Japan, China, and Qatar. This group is widely considered one of the most competitive, featuring teams with rich traditions in youth development. Despite the tough draw, there is strong belief that Indonesia can spring a surprise.
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In their opening match, Indonesia secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against China. This result provides a crucial confidence boost heading into their second match against Qatar on Saturday night. Securing another three points would significantly improve Garuda Muda’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
The tournament format demands absolute focus, as only the group winners and runners-up advance to the quarter-finals. Furthermore, the qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup is exclusively reserved for the top eight teams in the tournament.
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Coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto has emphasized that his team must perform at their peak in every match, noting that mental fortitude and tactical discipline are the deciding factors when facing Asia’s football powerhouses. Meanwhile, Japan remains the favorite to top Group B after an impressive 3-1 victory over Qatar in their opener. The upcoming clash between Indonesia and Japan in the final group stage fixture is already being tipped as the decisive encounter for the top spot.
The 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup group standings are as follows:
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Thailand, and Myanmar.
Group B: Indonesia, Japan, China, and Qatar.
Group C: South Korea, Yemen, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates.
Group D: Uzbekistan, Australia, and India.
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Match Schedule
The group stage fixtures for the Indonesia U-17 team are:
Indonesia 1-0 China
Indonesia vs. Qatar, Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 23:30 WIB
Indonesia vs. Japan, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 23:00 WIB
Beyond the Indonesian fixtures, the tournament has already seen exciting action across other groups. Hosts Saudi Arabia made a statement in Group A by thrashing Myanmar 4-0, while Australia demonstrated their strength with a dominant win over India in Group D.
The AFC U-17 Asian Cup has consistently served as the birthplace for Asia’s greatest talents, with many international icons launching their careers on this stage before achieving senior-level stardom. For Indonesia, this tournament represents more than just a scoreboard; the emergence of such talented youth players is a positive signal for the long-term growth of national grassroots football.
With the unwavering support of the fans, the players are expected to perform with newfound confidence. All matches of the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup are available to stream via Vision+ and RCTI+. For fans of the Garuda Muda, live broadcasts are also available on RCTI, making it easier than ever to cheer on the team from home. If the squad maintains its consistency and tactical discipline, Indonesia’s dream of making history on the Asian stage remains firmly within reach.
Summary
The 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup is currently taking place in Saudi Arabia from May 5 to May 22, serving as a critical pathway for teams to qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Indonesia, placed in the highly competitive Group B alongside Japan, China, and Qatar, aims to advance to the knockout stages under the leadership of coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto. Having secured a 1-0 victory against China in their opening match, the team now focuses on their upcoming fixtures against Qatar and Japan.
To qualify for the World Cup, Indonesia must finish among the top eight teams in the tournament. Success depends on maintaining tactical discipline and mental strength throughout the group stage, where only the winners and runners-up progress to the quarter-finals. Fans can follow the journey of the Garuda Muda through live broadcasts on RCTI or via streaming platforms like Vision+ and RCTI+.