Football at the 2026 Asian Games – Men's tournament

Football at the Asian Games men's tournament is contested by under-23 national teams, making it a competition focused on the development of Asia's next generation of senior international footballers. The format mirrors the Olympic football tournament and carries significant prestige, with the host nation and traditional powers in Asian football — Japan, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Iran among them — fielding strong squads.

The 2026 edition runs from mid-September to early October and is part of the broader Asian Games multi-sport programme. For many young players in the squads, a strong performance at the Asian Games can accelerate their move to European clubs or into their senior national team setup. The tournament also provides crucial competitive experience for nations investing in youth football development across the Asian Football Confederation's 47 member associations.