The India U-23 men’s national team have been drawn in Group H alongside hosts Qatar, Bahrain, and Brunei Darussalam for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers. The official draw was held on Thursday at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with India drawn from Pot 3.

A total of 44 teams have been divided into 11 groups for the qualifiers, scheduled to take place from September 1 to 9, 2025. All matches will be played in a centralised venue.

The 11 group winners and the four best second-placed teams will advance to the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026, joining hosts Saudi Arabia in the finals next January.

Read: Naushad Moosa reveals India U-23 squad for exposure friendlies in June

As part of their preparation for the qualifiers, the India U-23s, under Naushad Moosa, will play two friendlies in June against the U-23 teams of Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers Draw Result

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: UAE (H), IR Iran, Hong Kong, China, Guam

Group J: Korea Republic, Indonesia (H), Laos, Macau

Group K: Tajikistan (H), Syria, Philippines, Nepal