RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is set to host the ASEAN U-17 Boys Championship 2026, positioning the tournament as both a regional contest and a key platform to gauge youth development ahead of continental competition.

Indonesia’s U-17 national team is preparing to compete in the ASEAN U-17 Boys Championship 2026, a regional tournament that also serves as a steppingstone toward broader international competition.

As host, Indonesia is placed in Group A alongside Timor Leste, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The young Garuda squad will open their campaign against Timor Leste at Gelora Joko Samudro Stadium in Gresik on April 13. They will remain at the same venue to face Malaysia on April 16, before concluding the group stage against Vietnam at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo on April 19.

All matches are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. local time, Antara reported.

The tournament features three groups of four teams each. Group winners will automatically advance to the semifinals, joined by the best-performing runner-up.

Previously known as the ASEAN U-16 Championship, the tournament was last held in Indonesia in 2024, where the U-16 team under coach Nova Arianto secured third place with a 5-0 victory over Vietnam.

For this year’s edition, head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto has selected a final squad of 26 players following an intensive selection process that included training camps and friendly matches. The squad composition includes three goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and seven forwards.

Domestic clubs Persik Kediri and Bali United contribute the most players, with five each, followed by Persija Jakarta and Madura United with three players each. Beyond competing for the regional title, Indonesia is using the tournament as preparation for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2026, scheduled for May. ***