Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has hailed Japan’s unprecedented dominance after the young Samurai Blue secured a record-extending fifth AFC U17 Asian Cup™ title.

A hard-fought 3-2 victory over China PR in Friday’s Final in Jeddah saw the East Asian giants add to their storied legacy of 1994, 2006, 2018, and 2023, further cementing their status as the Continent’s premier youth powerhouse.

Shaikh Salman said: “On behalf of the Asian football family, I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to Japan for their remarkable achievement. Winning this prestigious title requires more than just talent; it requires discipline, resilience, and a collective vision.

“The players, the coaching staff, and the Member Association deserve immense credit for the years of hard work that have culminated in this moment of glory. They have not only won a trophy but have also secured a definitive blueprint for future success at the senior level in the coming years.”

The AFC President also lauded the performance of the Asian nations that have officially sealed their spots for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. This elite group includes Vietnam, who made history by qualifying for the global showpiece for the first time, as well as China PR, who ended an absence spanning more than two decades.

He added: “As we look toward the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, we do so with great pride. History-makers like Vietnam and returning competitors like China PR, have proven that the AFC continues to make consistent progress in realising its Vision and Mission. I have every confidence that our eight qualifiers, alongside hosts Qatar, will carry this momentum onto the ultimate arena.”

Much of the tournament’s acclaim stemmed from the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s (SAFF) flawless hosting and Shaikh Salman took the opportunity to highlight the Kingdom’s rapidly growing legacy as the premier footballing hub, noting that the seamless delivery of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ was the latest in a long list of prestigious major events hosted by the LOC and SAFF.

The AFC President added: “The Local Organising Committee, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the Kingdom’s leadership have once again demonstrated why they are leaders in world-class sports organisation. The LOC and SAFF have consistently proven an unmatched ability to deliver elite footballing showcases with precision and reliability, and the impeccable completion of this tournament for the second consecutive year adds to an incredible portfolio of recent milestones.

“The LOC and SAFF’s established track record in staging the AFC’s competitions, including the recently concluded AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals in Jeddah as well as the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ earlier this year, fills us with immense confidence particularly as the Kingdom prepares to host our grandest stage of all – the AFC Asian Cup™ in 2027.”

Mai Alhelabi, CEO of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ LOC added: “Friday’s Final marks the culmination of nearly three weeks of outstanding football in Jeddah. I’d like to congratulate Japan on an exceptional tournament and extend my thanks to the AFC for entrusting us to host the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ for the second year in a row.

“The innovative multi-pitch setup at King Abdullah Sports City and a bustling fanzone have helped create a real festival atmosphere from the first match to the last, uniting Asian football fans behind Asia’s brightest young stars.

“The Kingdom has staged several high-profile tournaments in recent months, bringing more than 1,000 players, coaches and officials to Saudi Arabia since January, alongside hundreds of thousands of fans.

“Having staged more than 150 elite international sports events since 2018, these recent events have further primed us for the moment we are all working towards - the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™, where 24 national teams will compete across 51 matches in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar to be crowned Continental champions.”