KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Kashmir English): Pakistan will begin their journey in the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) U-23 Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers with a high-stakes game against Iraq, one of the strongest sides in the group, on September 3, 2025 (Wednesday) in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia.
Pakistan has been pooled in Group G as a total of 44 Asian football playing nations have been divided into 11 groups to compete for a spot in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia in January next year.
That opener will be followed by a clash against hosts Cambodia, likely to be played in front of a vocal home crowd.
The qualifiers will be played between September 1 and 9, 2025, with 44 teams across Asia battling for one of 15 remaining spots in the final tournament, where host nation Saudi Arabia already holds automatic qualification.
The Green Shirts will play all three of their group games in the capital of Cambodia.
Pakistan will compete with Iraq, Oman and Cambodia to reserve their berth for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup 2026 after the draws for the qualifiers were held in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
Pakistan’s Schedule
Wednesday, Sep 3, 2025 Iraq vs Pakistan Phnom Penh
Saturday, Sep 6, 2025 Pakistan vs Cambodia Phnom Penh
Tuesday, Sep 9, 2025 Oman vs Pakistan Phnom Penh
The draws, held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, reveal that India has been placed in Group H along with Qatar (H), Bahrain, and Brunei Darussalam.
Indonesia’s national side will face South Korea, Laos, and Macau in Group J.
From all groups, only the group winners and the four best second-placed teams will advance to the final tournament.
They will join hosts Saudi Arabia, who qualifies automatically. The 2026 U-23 Asian Cup will be Saudi Arabia’s first time hosting the tournament.
AFC U-23 Qualification Draws
Group A: Jordan (H), Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, Bhutan
Group B: Japan, Kuwait, Myanmar (H), Afghanistan
Group C: Vietnam (H), Yemen, Singapore, Bangladesh
Group D: Australia, China PR (H), Timor-Leste, Northern Mariana Islands
Group E: Uzbekistan, Palestine, Kyrgyz Republic (H), Sri Lanka
Group F: Thailand (H), Malaysia, Lebanon, Mongolia
Group G: Iraq, Cambodia (H), Oman, Pakistan
Group H: Qatar (H), Bahrain, India, Brunei Darussalam
Group I: United Arab Emirates (H), Iran, Hong Kong, Guam
Group J: South Korea, Indonesia (H), Laos, Macau
Group K: Tajikistan (H), Syria, Philippines, Nepal
Only the group winners are guaranteed place in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, while the four best second-placed nations across the 11 groups will also qualify, meaning each team will need to put their best foot forward in each game.
