The 16 participating teams – featuring hosts, Saudi Arabia and 15 Qualifiers – were seeded into four pots based on a points system derived from their final rankings across the previous three editions (2016, 2018, 2023) of the tournament.

Australia was drawn from Pot 2 alongside Yemen, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; in what has shaped as a strong field of teams for the Group Stage that features nine past Winners.

The Subway Joeys were drawn into Group B alongside Japan from Pot 1, Vietnam from Pot 3 and the United Arab Emirates from Pot 4.

The tournament – being held between 3-20 April 2025 – will see Asia’s best U17 teams divided into four groups to contest a one-round league format, with the top two finishers in each Group qualifying for the Knockout Stages.

The eight teams that reach the Knockout Stages of the tournament will also earn their place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™ – the first edition of a newly expanded 48-team annual tournament.

Following the Draw, Subway Joeys’ Head Coach, Brad Maloney said: "We’ve been drawn in a very diverse and testing group led by the reigning under 17 champions, Japan," said Maloney.

“Both Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates will pose unique challenges, where we will need to be well prepared to nullify their threats and convert our opportunities.

"Knowing our group stage opponents and venues will help to further inform our preparation for the tournament.

“We have a talented pool of players in this age group, and our program over the past 18-months has been geared towards giving the team the best chance possible of achieving our goal of qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup,” concluded Maloney.

Catch the Subway Joeys in action in the AFC U17 Asian Cup, LIVE and free on 10 Play

Stay tuned for further details