The Emirates News Agency reported that the UAE under-17 women’s national team will compete in the largest-ever AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, marking an expansion that includes more participating nations than any previous edition of the tournament. AFC officials confirmed the qualifiers will involve teams from across the continent divided into several groups, with the UAE drawn into a competitive pool that requires strong performances to advance to the final tournament. The competition serves as a key development platform for young female footballers in the region, according to the continental governing body.
Qualifiers are scheduled to take place in multiple venues across Asia starting in August 2025, with the UAE team preparing through intensive training camps organized by the UAE Football Association. The association has named a provisional squad of 25 players who have been competing in domestic youth leagues, focusing on technical skills and tactical awareness ahead of the matches. Support staff include experienced coaches who have guided previous youth teams through international competitions.
AFC data shows the women’s youth championships have grown significantly since their inception in 2005, with the U17 edition now attracting broader participation that reflects increased investment in women’s football across member associations. Previous editions featured fewer than 20 teams in the qualifiers, whereas the current cycle has surpassed that mark substantially. The UAE Football Association stated that this growth provides greater opportunities for Emirati players to gain valuable international exposure.
The tournament winner and runners-up from the final event typically secure spots in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, adding further incentive for participating teams. UAE coaches have emphasized the importance of building on the progress made in recent domestic women’s leagues, where club participation has increased by over 30 percent in the past five years according to UAE Football Association figures. Preparation matches against regional opponents are planned in the coming weeks to test the squad’s readiness.
Emirati sports officials highlighted the role of such competitions in promoting gender equality and athletic development as part of the country’s national sports strategy. The UAE has hosted several AFC youth events in recent years, demonstrating its capability to organize high-level tournaments successfully. Additional details on the exact group opponents and venue for the UAE’s matches will be confirmed by the AFC in the coming days.
Further enrichment comes from regional benchmarks, with countries like Japan and North Korea having dominated previous U17 women’s tournaments by securing multiple titles according to AFC historical records. The UAE team aims to improve upon its past performances in similar qualifiers, where it reached the group stage but fell short of advancement. Local academies have expanded their women’s programs to feed talent into the national setup, contributing to a deeper player pool.
