AFC U16 Championship Draw, Live Updates

That is it for now. Hope to see you soon!

To recap, the four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the U17 World Cup in Peru next year

India will face Iran, Vietnam, and Indonesia this September as the AFC U16 Championships will get underway, in Malaysia

Group A: Malaysia, Japan, Thailand, Tajikistan
Group B: DPR Korea, Oman, Yemen, Jordan
Group C: Iran, Vietnam, India, Indonesia
Group D: Iraq, Korea Republic, Australia, Afghanistan

Iraq automatically joins Group D as the only team remaining in the draw

Iran drawn in Group C. They join Vietnam, India, and Indonesia.

DPR Korea drawn in Group B

Malaysia is automatically placed in Group A as the host nation

Group A: Japan, Thailand, Tajikistan
Group B: Oman, Yemen, Jordan
Group C: Vietnam, India, Indonesia
Group D: Korea Republic, Australia, Afghanistan

Korea Republic drawn in Group D

Vietnam joins India and Indonesia in Group C

Oman joining Yemen and Jordan in Group B

Japan the first team drawn from Pot 2. They are in Group A.

Group A: Thailand, Tajikistan
Group B: Yemen, Jordan
Group C: India, Indonesia
Group D: Australia, Afghanistan

Australia drawn in Group D

INDIA joins Indonesia in Group C

Yemen drawn in Group B. They join Jordan.

Group A: Tajikistan
Group B: Jordan
Group C: Indonesia
Group D: Afghanistan

Indonesia drawn in Group C. Afghanistan in Group D.

Jordan drawn in Group B

We begin with Pot 4. First team drawn is Tajikistan. They join host nation Malaysia in Group A.

Malaysia as the host nation has automatically been drawn in Group A.

The AFC Head of competitions is on the stage now. He is addressing the audience. The draw will begin shortly.

India is in Pot 3

The first ball drawn will be placed in group A, second into Group B and so on

The draw will proceed in the following manner- Pot 4, Pot 3, Pot 2, Pot 1.

India U16 qualified by virtue of finishing best among the runner ups

16 teams will participate in the championships. Four groups of four teams each.

The four top teams in AFC U16 Championships will represent Asia in the U17 WC in Peru, next year.

AFC General Secretary Dato' Windsor John is on stage, formally welcoming the guests.

Deborah Perreira is the Emcee for today's event

There was a short cultural showcase and we are now ready to go!

Hello all! The draw for AFC U16 Championships are about to get underway! Stick around for live updates.

The AFC U16 Championships are upon us, and the junior Indian side is set to go head to head against some of the best in the business from the continent, later this year.

But ahead of that, we are set to witness the draws for the U16 Championship, which are set to commence at 12.30 pm IST, in Malaysia, which is also the host nation for the prestigious tournament.

India have been seeded in Pot 3, alongside the likes of Yemen, Australia and Thailand, three strong teams that the U16 boys will avoid in the group stage.

The AFC U16 Championship holds great importance for the Blue Colts, as entry into the last four stage of the tournament will ensure qualification for the U17 FIFA World Cup next year.

India have already played in one U17 World Cup last year, but they were only able to make it to the tournament because they were hosts.

The current U16 team has shown some great performances on their exposure tours, beating the U17 sides of Hong Kong and Singapore, while getting a 1-1 draw against the U16 Poland side.