AFC discusses Vietnam's biggest rival at the U23 Asian Championship final round

Considered by AFC as the top team in Group A, U23 Saudi Arabia approaches the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals with the benefit of playing on home soil and the ambition to win the championship for the second time.

The U23 Saudi Arabia team is full of confidence ahead of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship finals, a tournament where they hold a significant edge by playing at home. According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the West Asian representative is currently the strongest team in Group A, clearly surpassing Kyrgyzstan, Jordan, and Vietnam.

After losing the championship to Japan in 2024, the Gulf team quickly regained form by winning the 2025 Arab U23 Cup, defeating Iraq 2-0 in the final. This achievement gave the “Young Green Falcons” a perfect warm-up before the continental football event.

Having appeared six times in the U23 Asian Championship finals and winning once in 2022, Saudi Arabia is always a strong contender for the title. In the upcoming tournament, they are drawn in Group A alongside Kyrgyzstan (January 6), Jordan (January 9), and Vietnam (January 12).

Under the leadership of coach Luigi Di Biagio, a former Italian international, U23 Saudi Arabia skipped the qualifiers and focused on thorough preparations through training camps in Russia and friendlies against South Korea. The coach aims to help the host nation reclaim the championship and build a foundation for this young squad to reach the 2028 Olympics.

The current U23 Saudi Arabia squad includes many players who played key roles in leading their U20 team to the final of the 2025 U20 Asian Championship in China. Notable players include goalkeeper Hamed Youssef, defender Mohammed Barnawi, and forward Talal Haji. Additionally, winger Abdulaziz Aliewa, who is performing impressively in the Saudi Pro League with Al Kholood, is expected to be a key attacking threat.

Aliewa and Rakan Al Ghamdi were the scorers in the victory over Iraq, securing Saudi Arabia’s fifth title at the Arab U23 Cup. With consistent form, a youthful squad, home ground advantage, and high praise from AFC, the West Asian team is determined to become only the second team in history after Japan to win the U23 Asian Championship twice.