Aldyar Alarabiya WAFF U19 Championship kicks off in KSA

Baghdad-INA
The Aldyar Alarabiya tournament hosted by the city of Taif in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia kicked off on Tuesday.

 The tournament will run from June 25-July 5, 2024. Organized by West Asian Football Federation (WAFF), it features 12 teams: hosts Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Bahrain, UAE, Oman, Yemen, Kuwait, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and special guests Albania.

The correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported that "12 teams will enter the tournament with clearly defined goals, summarized in achieving the maximum possible technical benefit, as well as competing for the title that supports their future ambitions, especially at the continental level, where the qualifiers for the Asian Youth Cup finals."

He added that "the participating teams are divided into three groups. The draw placed the host Saudi Arabia in Group A alongside Oman, Kuwait, and Yemen. Our youth team, holders of the title from the first edition in 2019 and the second in 2021, is in Group B alongside Lebanon, Jordan, and Albania. Group C consists of Syria, Bahrain, UAE, and Palestine."

 
"The matches of the third edition of the tournament will be held at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium and Okaz Club Stadium until July 5," he said.

It is noted that "the opening day of the championship will witness two matches at King Fahd Sports City Stadium: the first between Oman and Kuwait at 5:00 PM, and the second between Saudi Arabia and Yemen at 9:00 PM."

The teams play the first round in a single-stage league system, and the top of each group, along with the best second-place team, advances to the semifinals."