Maldives face Chinese Taipei in group stage opener at AFC U17 Asian Cup

Maldives U17 will host Chinese Taipei U17 in the first round of the group stage at the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup, on 8 November 2026 at 15:00 Saudi Arabia and Damascus time.

The beIN SPORTS network will broadcast the match live to viewers.

Maldives U17 go into the match after a series of negative results, having lost to Kuwait U17 0-5 on 28 November 2025, before which they lost to Thailand U17 1-7 on 26 November 2025, lost to Turkmenistan U17 0-6 at home on 24 November 2025, and lost to Mongolia U17 0-1 also at home on 22 November 2025.

In contrast, Chinese Taipei U17 have not achieved any win in their recent matches, having lost to Palestine U17 1-3 at home on 30 November 2025, lost to India U17 1-3 away from home on 26 November 2025, lost to Iran U17 0-5 at home on 24 November 2025, while drawing with Lebanon U17 goalless 0-0 away from home on 22 November 2025.