Doha, Qatar, April 15, 2024: Five former champions will be vying to become the first side to lift the trophy for a second time when the AFC U23 Asian Cup gets underway on Monday, April 15, in Doha, Qatar.
Saudi Arabia, the defending champions, will be up against other former winners Iran (2013), Japan (2016), Uzbekistan (2018) and Korea (2020) in the 16-team tournament from April 15 to May 3.
The tournament will have extra significance with the top three teams qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with the fourth-placed side to face Guinea in a play-off on May 9 for a possible fourth Asian team advancing to the Games.
Saudi Arabia has featured in the final of three previous editions, emerging runners-up in 2013 and 2020 before finally laying their hands on the trophy in 2022.
Japan (1968 Mexico) and Korea (2012 London) are the only Asian teams to win medals at the Olympics with both taking bronze. However, no Asian team has won a medal since the AFC U23 Asian Cup became the Olympic qualifier in 2016.
Indonesia is the only side who will be making their tournament debut, becoming the 25th team to feature in the AFC U23 Asian Cup since the inaugural edition in 2013.
Group A – Qatar, Australia, Jordan, Indonesia.
Group B – Japan, Korea, UAE, China.
Group C – Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Thailand, Tajikistan.
Group D – Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Kuwait, Malaysia.