February 5, 2026 | 06:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Positive news has arrived for the Indonesian U-17 national team ahead of the group stage draw for the 2026 U-17 AFC Asian Cup. The Young Garuda are confirmed to be placed in Pot 2 during the drawing, which will take place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 3:00 PM WIB (Western Inodonesia Time).
This position gives Indonesia an early advantage. Being in Pot 2 means they will avoid strong teams from the same pot and have a better chance of reaching the knockout stage. In the official division by the Asian Football Confederation, Indonesia is in the same pot as Tajikistan, Australia, and Yemen. Meanwhile, Pot 1 consists of Saudi Arabia (the host), South Korea, Japan, and defending champion Uzbekistan.
Indonesia's placement in Pot 2 is not coincidental. The status was attained through their performance in the previous edition and consistent results at the Asian level. In the context of youth tournaments often decided by small details, transition, defensive discipline, and set-piece effectiveness, the pot position is an important variable that can influence the competitive landscape from the outset.
The tournament, which will take place in Saudi Arabia from May 5 to 22, 2026, will be contested by 16 teams divided into four groups. The top two teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals. The top eight teams will also secure a ticket to the U-17 World Cup 2026 in Qatar. In this format, Indonesia has the opportunity to avoid a tough group in Pot 2, although the final outcome still depends heavily on the combinations drawn from Pots 3 and 4.
This U-17 AFC Asian Cup is not just a continental competition. It also serves as a qualification route to the U-17 World Cup, making every match strategically valuable. For Indonesia, the group stage will be an early test of whether the foundational gameplay, from defensive organization to progressive ball bravery, is beginning to take shape.
For this tournament, the Indonesian U-17 national team is confirmed to be coached by former senior national team striker, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto. In the near future, as part of tactic refinement and player composition evaluation, Young Garuda is scheduled to play two friendly matches against China U-17.
2026 U-17 AFC Asian Cup drawing pot allocation:
Pot 1: Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Japan, Uzbekistan
Pot 2: Tajikistan, Australia, Yemen, Indonesia
Pot 3: Thailand, China PR, Vietnam, India
Pot 4: North Korea, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Myanmar
Read: Indonesia vs Japan: Preview of Asian Futsal Cup Semifinals
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