CULTURE — May 8, 2026
Afghanistan U-20 Team to Open CAFA Championship Against Turkmenistan
The Afghanistan Football Federation has announced the match schedule for the under-20 national team at the 2026 CAFA Championship in Tajikistan, beginning with a May 12 opener against Turkmenistan.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Pajhwok — 2 min read

The Afghanistan Football Federation has released the official match schedule for the national under-20 football team at the upcoming Central Asian Football Association Championship. The tournament will be hosted in Tajikistan, with all fixtures scheduled between May 12 and May 17.
According to the federation’s announcement, Afghanistan will begin its campaign against Turkmenistan on May 12. The team will then face Uzbekistan on May 13, followed by a match against host nation Tajikistan on May 15. The group stage will conclude with a fixture against Kyrgyzstan on May 17.
The schedule was formally communicated through an official statement on the federation’s verified social media page, confirming the squad’s participation in the regional youth competition. The announcement outlines a compact tournament structure, requiring the national team to play four matches within a six-day window.
The Afghanistan under-20 squad’s participation in the championship reflects ongoing efforts to maintain competitive youth football programs and engage with regional sporting bodies. The Central Asian Football Association organizes the event to provide developmental opportunities for young athletes across member nations.
Further details regarding specific kick-off times, stadium assignments, and team travel logistics will be published by the federation in the coming days. Supporters and sports officials are awaiting the final operational updates ahead of the opening match.
Read the original reporting at Pajhwok →
Reliability assessment
Single-source report citing an official, on-record statement from the Afghanistan Football Federation with concrete, verifiable details including specific match dates, opponents, and host location.
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Culture — Afghanistan Football Federation, CAFA U-20 Championship, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Sports
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