The decision was announced following a meeting of the AFC Executive Committee. The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 12 to 29, 2027.
According to the AFC, the hosting rights were transferred as part of a review of the continental calendar and the allocation of youth competitions among AFC member associations.
Saudi Arabia had originally been selected to host three consecutive editions of the tournament in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The AFC Competitions Committee approved the plan in May 2025, and the first of those tournaments was held in Jeddah in May 2026. The AFC did not explain why the 2027 edition was reassigned to Uzbekistan.
Saudi Arabia is now set to host the 2029 AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
The AFC Executive Committee also confirmed Japan as the host of the 2028 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, which will serve as Asia's qualifying tournament for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Jordan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar and Uzbekistan had also bid to host the U-23 tournament, while the United Arab Emirates withdrew its candidacy earlier in 2026.
The AFC said all final bidders met the minimum hosting requirements. Japan was ultimately selected based on the strength of its infrastructure, lower operational risks, geographical balance and the confederation's rotation policy for major football tournaments across Asia.
Uzbekistan heads into the 2027 tournament as one of the continent's strongest youth teams. The country won the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in 2025 after defeating Saudi Arabia in the final despite being reduced to nine players in the first half following two red cards. It was Uzbekistan's first title in the competition since 2012.
In 2026, Uzbekistan's U-17 side reached the semi-finals before losing to Japan in a penalty shootout.
