The Asian Football Confederation conducted the official draw for the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2027 qualifiers at its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday. According to WAM, the UAE was placed in Group A as part of the process that divided the 30 participating teams into eight groups. The qualifiers will be contested in a centralized single round-robin format between October 5 and 11, with each group hosted by one of the participating nations.
Only the eight group winners will progress to the finals, where they will be joined by four automatically qualified teams, the AFC has stated. The finals are scheduled to run from March 31 to April 17, 2027, in China, with a further draw set for December 2026 to determine the groups for the showpiece event. This structure ensures a competitive pathway for emerging women’s teams across the continent.
The record entry of 30 teams for the qualifiers highlights the growth of women’s youth football in Asia, according to AFC statistics. Bhutan is making its debut in the competition, while the UAE is among 12 sides hoping to reach the finals for the first time. Previous editions have seen top sides such as North Korea and Japan dominate, setting a high bar for newcomers.
UAE’s placement in Pot 4 for the draw reflects their ranking in the regional women’s under-17 standings, an AFC assessment found. The team will face opponents from higher pots in their group, requiring strong performances to advance. The Emirates Football Association has been investing in youth development programs to boost the national team’s prospects.
A final draw for the group stage of the finals will be held in December 2026 following the completion of all qualifier matches, the AFC reported. China, as host, is automatically seeded in the finals. The tournament serves as qualification for future international youth competitions and aids in the development of players for senior national teams.
The AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup was first held in 2009, and this ninth edition of the qualifiers underscores the steady expansion of the event. Data from the AFC shows increasing numbers of participating associations over the years. For the UAE, a successful qualification campaign would represent a significant milestone in their women’s football journey.
