KUALA LUMPUR: Pakistan will face hosts Kyrgyzstan, Yemen, Laos, Cambodia and Guam in the six-team Group ‘B’ in the qualifiers for next year’s AFC Under-17 Asian Cup after the draw was conducted in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.

Matches will be held from Nov 22 to 30 in a single league format with the group winners of the seven qualifying groups progressing to the tournament finals in Saudi Arabia, where they will join the nine AFC representatives from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 who have automatically qualified, namely Qatar, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, DPR Korea, Japan, Tajikistan, United Arab Emirates and Indonesia.

Pakistan’s only appearance at the tournament came back in 2002. The newly-elected Pakistan Football Federation leadership is yet to appoint a coach for the Under-17 team.

Before the Asian qualifiers, Pakistan’s Under-17 team are due to take part in September’s SAFF Under-17 Championship in Sri Lanka. Pakistan have been drawn in Group ‘B’ alongside India, Bhutan and the Maldives for the regional tournament.

While Pakistan are taking part in the men’s Under-17 Asian Cup qualifiers, the PFF did not enter its team for the qualifiers of next year’s AFC Under-17 Women’s Asian Cup in China. The draw for the women’s tournament was also held on Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2025