Defending champions Qatar have been drawn in Group F with Japan, Thailand and Indonesia at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 after Saturday’s final draw in Riyadh officially confirmed the tournament groups
The road to AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 is now set after the final draw was held at the historic Salwa Palace in Riyadh, where all 24 participating teams discovered their group-stage opponents for Asia’s premier football competition.
The tournament, which begins on 7 January 2027, will be hosted by Saudi Arabia. The top two sides from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16.
Saturday’s ceremony brought together several prominent figures from across Asian football. Saudi Arabia captain Salem Al Dawsari and Japanese great Hidetoshi Nakata assisted with the draw, joined by Jordan head coach Jamal Sellami, Korean referee Kim Yu-jeong and Saudi para-footballer Yazan Seefen. Influencers and football personalities from China and Vietnam were also in attendance.
THE DECIDED FIXTURES
Saudi Arabia, the tournament hosts, have been placed in Group A alongside Kuwait, Oman and Palestine. They will open their campaign against Palestine in Riyadh as they look to win the Asian Cup for the first time since 1996.
Group B brings together Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea and Jordan, with Jordan returning after reaching their first Asian Cup final in 2023.
Iran headline Group C drawn Syria, the Kyrgyz Republic and China. Iran are chasing a fourth Asian Cup crown and will be making their 16th consecutive appearance at the tournament.
Australia and Iraq lead Group D, which also includes Tajikistan and Singapore.
Group E features South Korea, the UAE and Vietnam, with the final place to be decided between Lebanon or Yemen, who face each other in June.
Defending champions Qatar have been drawn in Group F with Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. Qatar are looking to win a third successive Asian Cup title after lifting the trophy in 2019 and 2023. Only Iran has achieved that before.
The AFC said the 2027 tournament will be just the third edition in which every participating team has played in the Asian Cup before.
The final will take place on 5 February at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.
