Asian Games Football 2026 Schedule: Groups, Fixtures & Venues
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Asian Games Football 2026 Schedule
A 15-nation men's U-23 tournament and 16-nation women's tournament span six Japanese cities from September 14 to October 3 — though no Indian team is competing this year.
Football at the Asian Games 2026 features a men's AFC U-23 tournament and a women's tournament, running largely in parallel across seven stadiums in six cities. Both Indian national teams qualified on the field but were excluded by a government eligibility rule requiring team sports to rank in Asia's top eight, so this page tracks the tournament without a home fixture list.
An Age-Restricted Men's Tournament
The men's tournament is an AFC U-23 competition — every outfield player must be born on or after January 1, 2003, with each 18-22 player squad allowed up to three older “overage” players, the same dispensation used at Olympic football. Fifteen nations split into three groups of four and one group of three, with the top two from every group advancing to the quarter-finals.
Schedule Snapshot
- Men's group stage
- Sept 15–26, 2026
- Women's group stage
- Sept 14–20, 2026
- Women's final
- Sept 27, 2026
- Men's final
- Oct 3, 2026 (Toyota Stadium)
Seven Stadiums, Six Cities
Matches are spread across Nagai Stadium (Osaka), Toyota Stadium (hosting the men's final), CS Asset Minato Soccer Stadium and Wave Stadium (Kariya), Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium and Shizuoka Stadium (Fukuroi), split between the men's and women's tournaments.
Men's Groups at Asian Games Football 2026
- A: Japan, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Hong Kong
- B: China, UAE, Iran, North Korea
- C: Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Kuwait
- D: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Qatar (3 teams)
Defending champions South Korea, chasing a fourth consecutive gold, face a tough Group D against Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The women's 16-team group draw was still pending confirmation at the time of writing.
Quarter-Finals to the Final
Why India Isn't Playing Football at Asian Games 2026
Both the Indian men's and women's national teams qualified for Aichi-Nagoya on the field but were ruled out by India's Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which requires national teams in team sports to rank among Asia's top eight for government clearance to a multi-sport Games. India's men currently sit 26th in Asia and the women 13th, both short of the threshold, so neither squad has been deputed despite earning their spots through AFC competition.
Where to Watch Live
Sony Pictures Networks India holds the exclusive broadcast and streaming rights for the entire 20th Asian Games, including every football match, even without an Indian team competing. TV coverage runs on Sony Sports Network, with every match streaming live on the SonyLIV app.
Asian Games Football 2026: Quick Answers
When does the football schedule start?
The women's tournament begins September 14 and the men's tournament begins September 15, 2026.
Where is football being played?
Across seven stadiums in six cities: Osaka, Toyota, Nagoya, Kariya, Gifu and Fukuroi, with Toyota Stadium hosting the men's final.
Is the men's tournament an under-23 event?
Yes, with up to three overage players allowed per squad, the same rule used at Olympic football.
When is the football final?
The women's final is September 27, 2026; the men's gold medal match is October 3, 2026 at Toyota Stadium.
Why isn't India playing football?
Both teams qualified on the field but were excluded by a government rule requiring team sports to rank in Asia's top eight; India's men (26th) and women (13th) both fall short.
Where can I watch live?
Every match streams live on Sony Sports Network TV and the SonyLIV app in India.