Uzbekistan will defend their title in Thailand, where Olympic places are on offer ©AFC

Three teams will qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic men's football tournament through the Asian Under-23 Championship, which begins tomorrow in Thailand.

Sixteen sides will do battle at the fourth edition of the age-group event, as they bid for continental glory as well as a spot at the Games.

Uzbekistan are the defending champions after winning in 2018 in China, and start in a tricky looking Group C alongside South Korea, the Chinese and Iran.

No side has ever retained the title.

Hosts Thailand are in Group A with 2013 winners Iraq, Australia and Bahrain, while 2016 champions Japan will meet Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria in Group B.

Vietnam, the runners-up last time out, have been drawn with North Korea, Jordan and United Arab Emirates in Group D.

As Japan have already qualified for Tokyo 2020 as hosts, the remaining three semi-finalists will book their places should they reach the last four.

If not, the two finalists and the winner of the third place playoff will advance.

Four venues are being used for the tournament, including Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium which will host the final on January 26.

Buriram Stadium, Songkhla's Tinsulanon Stadium and Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani will also host matches.

Hosts Thailand will begin in Bangkok tomorrow against Bahrain ©AFC
Hosts Thailand will begin in Bangkok tomorrow against Bahrain ©AFC

Tomorrow's opening games are in Group A, with Thailand beginning on home soil against Bahrain in Bangkok, after Iraq take on Australia in the first match in Pathum Thani.

"Asia is home to some outstanding emerging talent and the Asian Under-23 Championship underlines our ambitions to provide a world-class platform for our players and teams to shine," said Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.

"The tournament offers a chance to see stars in the making - the players who will be looking to earn their places in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023, as well as this summer's Olympic Games, which returns to our great continent in Japan.

"On behalf of the Asian football family, I wish all our teams the very best of luck and we also convey our heartfelt appreciation to FA Thailand for their dedication in providing the best possible environment for teams and players." 

The top two sides in each group will reach the quarter-finals.

Men's Olympic football is for under-23 players, although three players above that age are allowed in the final squads.