The 2023 WAFF U-23 Championship was the fourth edition of the WAFF U-23 Championship, the international age-restricted football championship organized by the West Asian Football Federation for the men's under-23 national teams of West Asia. Nine teams competed in the tournament, with one team being invited.
Saudi Arabia, the defending champions, did not take part in the tournament. Iraq won their first title after defeating Iran 5–4 on penalties (1–1 after extra time) in the final.
Teams Nine teams took part in the competition.
TeamAppearance Previous best performance 2nd (2015) 2nd (2021) 3rd (2021) 3rd (2021, 2022) 4th (2022) 3rd (2015, 2021) 4th (2015) 3rd (2015, 2021) 3rd (2015)
Draw The draw for the group stage took place on Thursday 25 May 2023 in Muscat, Oman at 15:00 UTC+3. + Group A Team A1 A2 A3 + Group B Team B1 B2 B3 + Group C Team C1 C2 C3
Squads
Each team had to register a squad of 25 players, three of whom must be goalkeepers.
Match officials The following referees and assistant referees were appointed for the tournament.
Referees Husain Al Showaikh (Bahrain) Ahmed Kadhim Gatea (Iraq) Ahmad Yaqoub Ibrahim (Jordan) Ali Al Ashkar (Lebanon) Yahya Al Balushi (Oman) Baraa Aisha (Palestine) Faisal Al-Blwi (Saudi Arabia) Feras Taweel (Syria) Sultan Al Hammadi (United Arab Emirates) Feras Yousef (Yemen)
Assistant Referees Sayed Jalal Mahfoodh (Bahrain) Karrar Al Uaibi (Iraq) Qais Khamees (Jordan) Bilal Orfi (Lebanon) Mohammed Al Ghazali (Oman) Rafat Roma (Palestine) Saad Al-Subaie (Saudi Arabia) Mohamed Al Sayed Ali (Syria) Yasser Al Murshidi (United Arab Emirates) Ahmed Mushwer (Yemen)
Venues Baghdad Karbala Al-Madina Stadium Karbala Stadium Capacity: 30,000 Capacity: 30,000
Group stage Group A
Group B
Group C
Ranking of Runners-ups The best-placed runner-up will qualify for the knockout stage.
Knockout stage
Semi-finals
Final
Winners
Awards The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:
Awards Player of the Tournament Muntadher Mohammed Golden Boot Hussein Abdullah (3 goals) Golden Glove Kumel Al-Rekabe
Final standing
RankTeam456789
Goalscorers
Broadcasting rights The following channels have been given broadcasting rights to broadcast the tournament.
TerritoryRights holder(s)IraqAl Iraqiya Alrabiaa Network TelevisionUnited Arab EmiratesAD Sports Dubai SportsJordanJordan Sports TVYemenAl-Saeeda
References