KATHMANDU: Hosts Nepal have been drawn in Group D along with the defending champions Iraq, India and Palestine for the AFC U-16 Championship 2018 qualifiers, scheduled for September 16-24.

An official draw for the tournament was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

Likewise, last year's runners-up Iran are scheduled to meet Kyrgyz Republic, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Bhutan in Group C.

Two-time champions and 2016 semi-finalists DPR Korea will face Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Macau and Brunei Darussalam in Group F, with Japan, who also reached last year’s semi-finals drawn in Group J, along with Singapore, Malaysia and Guam, the AFC said.

Ten group winners and five best second-placed teams will advance to the final stage of the tournament, along with the host Member Association, according to the AFC.