Four Teams, One Goal: Group A Kicks Off U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers in Bhutan

The road to the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 begins this week, with 32 teams from across Asia battling it out for a place in the tournament. In Group A, hosted in Thimphu, Bhutan, four teams—Nepal, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea—will compete for one qualifying spot.

Nepal's U20 head coach Yam Prasad Gurung, who previously expressed confidence in defeating Saudi Arabia and Bhutan, appeared more measured ahead of the qualifiers. Citing lessons learned during the SAFF Championship and the importance of not underestimating any team, Gurung said, “We are here to qualify. I believe in my players and we are ready to give our best.”

Nepal’s skipper Birsana Chaudhary echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the strength of the group. “We are not taking any team lightly. Our preparation has been focused and we aim to win every match,” she said.

Nepal will face hosts Bhutan in their first match on Wednesday evening, following the North Korea vs Saudi Arabia clash in the afternoon. Tanka Maya Ghalley, the head coach of Bhutan, was upbeat in spite of the difficulties.  "Playing at home is not a burden, but a boost. We’ve learned from our SAFF experience and made improvements,” she noted.

Saudi Arabia, newcomers to the U20 scene, have prepared extensively, training since February and arriving in Bhutan 20 days early to adjust to local conditions. Head coach Xavier Vilamala emphasized the team’s growth mindset: “It’s a big challenge, but it will help us grow. We’re chasing our best version.”

North Korea, a powerhouse in women’s football, is confident. Head coach Han Chol-Hak stated, “We are here to win and prove our capability.”

Only the top team from each of the eight groups—and the three best runners-up—will qualify for the 2026 finals in Thailand. With all four teams determined to qualify, Group A promises high stakes and intense competition.

After North Korea vs. Saudi Arabia at 14:00 on Wednesday, Nepal will play Bhutan at Changlimithang Stadium at 18:00 (UTC+6).