Iraq U17 drawn into Group 2 of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers

BAGHDAD, Iraq — KUALA LUMPUR — Iraq's under-17 national team has been placed in Group 2 of the AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers following the draw held in the Malaysian capital on Wednesday. The Iraqi side will face Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, the Maldives and hosts Thailand, with the group-stage matches scheduled to run from November 8 to 20 in Thailand. The qualifying tournament will determine the teams that advance to the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals, set to be hosted by Uzbekistan next year. Group winners are set to qualify for the finals, alongside the best-performing runners-up across the qualifying groups. Iraq's youth teams have featured regularly in AFC age-group competitions, with previous campaigns serving as a measure of the country's player-development pipeline. The draw sets the pathway for Iraq's bid to reach the continental finals, where 32 nations are expected to compete. Further details on Iraq's squad, fixtures and venue arrangements are expected to be announced by the Iraqi Football Association in the coming weeks.