The 2024 WAFF U-23 Championship was the fifth edition of the WAFF U-23 Championship, the international age-restricted football championship organized by the West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) for the men's under-23 national teams of West Asia. Eight teams competed in the tournament, with four WAFF teams and four other invitees.[1]
Iraq were the defending champions, but they were eliminated from the tournament at the group stages. South Korea won their first WAFF title, beating Australia 4–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw.
Teams
Eight teams took part in the competition, with four from the WAFF and four other invitees. Iraq participated with its under-19 national team.[2]
The draw for the group stage took place on 3 March 2024 at the WAFF headquarters in Amman, Jordan. Teams from the same group of the upcoming 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup could not be drawn into the same group. Host Saudi Arabia were automatically placed in position A1.[3]
^"The 5th Edition of the under-23 championship will host 4 teams from outside the region". WAFF. 26 February 2024.
^"الشباب بدلا عن الأولمبي في غرب آسيا". Iraq News Agency. 12 February 2024.
^"٨ منتخبات تترقب قرعة بطولة تحت ٢٣ عاماً الخامسة" [Drawing the draw for the fifth Under-23 Championship] (in Arabic). WAFF. 4 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.