INDOPOSCO.ID – National football attention will once again turn to North Sumatra as the 2026 AFF U-19 Championship (ASEAN U-19 Boys Championship) officially gets underway on Monday (June 1). Indonesia’s U-19 national team will begin its campaign with the task of defending its Southeast Asian title.
Myanmar will be Indonesia’s opening opponent in a match scheduled to kick off at 8:00 p.m. WIB. The fixture marks not only the team’s first group-stage match but also an early test that could influence its progress throughout the tournament.
As host nation, Indonesia enters the competition with both the advantage of home support and heightened expectations. Thousands of supporters are expected to attend the match, hoping to see head coach Nova Arianto’s side make a positive start to the tournament.
Ahead of the opening match, the team appeared focused in its preparations. Through the Indonesian national team’s official Instagram account, the squad shared its readiness for the competition.
“Focused ahead of the first AFF U-19 Championship match,” the post read on Monday (June 1).
This year’s tournament is being held from June 1 to June 13, 2026, with North Sumatra serving as the host region. Three venues have been designated for the competition: North Sumatra Main Stadium, Teladan Stadium, and Madya Stadium.
Indonesia has been drawn in Group A alongside Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Competition in the group is expected to be challenging, with only the group winners guaranteed a place in the semifinals, while one additional berth will be awarded to the best-performing runner-up across all groups.
Following the match against Myanmar, Indonesia is scheduled to face Timor-Leste on June 4 before meeting Vietnam on June 7 in a fixture that could have a significant impact on the final group standings.
As the defending champion, Indonesia enters the tournament with high expectations. The title won in the previous edition will be at stake as the team seeks to retain its regional crown.
Indonesia’s campaign begins tonight, with the U-19 squad set to play its opening match in front of a home crowd. (her)
