2027 AFC U20 qualifying standings: North Korea lead as Vietnam remain bottom

Vietnam’s U20 team remain at the bottom of Group C in the 2027 AFC U20 qualifiers after a 2-1 defeat by Palestine on September 3.

The result left Vietnam without a point after two matches and with a minus-four goal difference. They had opened the campaign with a 3-0 loss to North Korea.

North Korea sit top of the group with six points and a plus-four goal difference after coming from behind to beat Iran 2-1. The East Asian side scored both goals in stoppage time, leaving it close to securing progression.

Iran have three points and a goal difference of zero, level with Palestine. Iran rank higher because of their head-to-head record.

Vietnam no longer control their own route to the finals. In the final round on September 6, Vietnam will face Iran while North Korea play Palestine. Vietnam must win by a clear margin and hope North Korea defeat Palestine. The qualifying tournament runs from August 31 to September 6, with 31 teams divided among eight groups. The eight group winners and the seven best second-place teams will join host China at the 2027 AFC U20 finals.