Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia Drawn Together in 2026 AFF U-17 Championship
The official draw for the 2026 ASEAN U-17 Boys’ Championship took place on Friday, March 6, 2026, placing Indonesia in Group A alongside Vietnam, Malaysia, and Timor Leste. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Sidoarjo and Gresik, East Java, from April 11-23, 2026.
Group Stage Breakdown
The draw, conducted by PSSI Executive Committee member Muhammad Sungkar, divided the 12 participating nations into three groups:
- Group A: Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Timor Leste
- Group B: Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines
- Group C: Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam
Anticipation for Regional Rivalries
Muhammad Sungkar expressed enthusiasm about the group composition, particularly the matchup between Indonesia and Malaysia. “Yes, we are grateful that we can be (together with) Malaysia’s arch-rival. The audience will definitely be enthusiastic about meeting Malaysia,” he stated following the draw (DetikSport).
Tournament Objectives
The Indonesian team aims to advance to the next phase of the championship and apply the tournament as preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in May. (Pikiran Rakyat)
Preparation and Expectations
Indonesia U-17 head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto affirmed his team’s readiness to face any opponent. (Pikiran Rakyat) He noted the dynamic nature of youth football, emphasizing that team strengths can change rapidly with player age and development.
Tournament Details
The ASEAN U-17 Boys’ Championship 2026, also known as the AFF U-17 Cup, will be hosted in Sidoarjo and Gresik, East Java, from April 11 to April 23, 2026. (SindoNews)
Vietnam U17 has been placed in a challenging group, dubbed a “group of death,” alongside Indonesia, Malaysia, and Timor-Leste. (VOV)