The winners and runners-up from each of the four-team groups will advance to the knockout stage, alongside the top four third-placed teams, after each side plays three matches. The AFC granted Australia the honor of hosting the 2015 AFC Asian Cup after its dominant performance in the 2011 edition. Four years later, Japan successfully defended their Asian title, though their performance was less commanding, culminating in a fiercely contested and politically charged final against China.
Twenty-four national teams compete, split into six groups of four. Afc afc asian cup afc asian cup 2027 asian cup Asian Cup 2027 Football – Articles and Posts football competitions football news football tournament Saudi captain Salem Al-Dawsari remains one of the most recognisable names in Asian football, and Jordan’s Mousa Al-Taamari has already demonstrated his ability to influence major international matches. However, several established Asian stars could play major roles if selected and fit.
Teams from Pots 1, 2, and 3 were automatically advanced to the second round, with an additional spot reserved for the winner of the first-round draw. The four teams from Pot 4 were distributed into two separate groups for the first round. A total of 46 FIFA-affiliated nations are eligible for the joint qualification process for the 2026 World Cup and 2027 AFC Asian Cup, excluding the Northern Mariana Islands, a non-FIFA nation that would have participated in the play-off round. While the match dates and venues have been confirmed, the exact kick-off times were still pending as of the latest update. Six groups of four teams each will compete in a total of 51 matches, featuring 24 national squads. Riyadh hosts five venues, including the opening match and final at King Fahd Sports City Stadium.
The trophy is modelled after the lotus flower, a symbolically important aquatic Asian plant. During the draw for the 2019 group stage on 4 May 2018 at the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, an all-new trophy, made by London silversmiths Thomas Lyte, was unveiled. AFC Asian Cup 2027 The trophy was redesigned, adding more silver and reducing the black base to just a thin layer down. Until the 2000 tournament, the black base contained plaques engraved with names of every winning country, as well as the edition won. In the knockout stage, the sixteen teams compete in a single-elimination tournament, beginning with the round of 16 and ending with the final match of the tournament.
The tournament’s schedule and venue choices aim to boost fan participation and improve accessibility across the region. This initiative follows Saudi Arabia’s proven ability to organize high-profile events, such as the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, the Spanish and Italian Super Cups, and upcoming attractions like Formula 1 and the Dakar Rally. AFC Asian Cup 2027: Latest news, ticket updates, and exclusive coverage on football, soccer, and ticketing.
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None of the six finals will be held within the Kingdom’s borders. Five of the eight stadiums are located in Riyadh, two in Jeddah, and one in Al Khobar, spanning a distance of 1,229 kilometers from coast to coast. The knockout stage brackets will be revealed once the group matches are completed. From January 7 onward, match results—played, won, drawn, and points—will be updated, with every team starting at zero until then. The tournament’s logo combines a wordmark with a trophy symbol inspired by Najdi stepped geometry, a traditional Saudi architectural and decorative motif. In the knockout rounds, if necessary, extra time and a penalty shootout will determine the ultimate winner.
Viewing the tournament while in Bangladesh.
Their meeting could have a major effect on the knockout bracket, especially if one of the favourites finishes second rather than first. Four-time champions Japan were drawn alongside two-time defending champions Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia. Palestine will also arrive with confidence after reaching the knockout stage of the previous AFC Asian Cup for the first time. Hosts Saudi Arabia were drawn alongside Kuwait, Oman and Palestine in an all-West Asian group.
Using official ticketing channels, planning transport between host cities and arriving at stadiums early will help ensure a smooth matchday experience. When purchasing tickets, supporters should also consider travel between host cities and book accommodation as early as possible, especially for the knockout stage. The country became the first in the Middle East to host the world’s biggest sporting event, triumphing over strong competition from the United States and Australia. In 2010, Qatar was chosen as the host country for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Since 2019, no third place play-off has been played; from 2023, losing semi-finalists are ranked by the AFC based on goal difference in the semi-finals.
From 7 January to 5 February 2027, Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar welcome 24 national teams for 51 matches. Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, across eight stadiums. This guide is written for neutral Bangladeshi fans following the tournament rather than supporting their own national team.
Qualified nations include Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Iran, Qatar, UAE, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, China, Indonesia, DPR Korea, Kuwait, and the Kyrgyz Republic. Eighteen nations have qualified, including Saudi Arabia as the host nation, with six more spots to be decided through qualifiers. King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh will be the main venue, undergoing extensive upgrades to meet the highest AFC standards. Eight stadiums across three host cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar—will host matches, with each city anchored by a main stadium. The use of upgraded and new stadiums reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to modern infrastructure, which also aligns with goals to boost tourism and international cooperation. With 18 nations already qualified—including Saudi Arabia (host), Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Iran, Qatar, UAE, and others—the event will strengthen football’s profile in Asia.
Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport serves the two Jeddah stadiums and is also the closest major airport for fans combining the tournament with an Umrah visit. Meet the 24 national teams drawn into six groups for Saudi Arabia 2027. Held by the United Arab Emirates, the hosts breached into the final for the first time ever but were unable to win the trophy after losing to Saudi Arabia, who made it into the country’s fourth consecutive Asian finals, on penalties. Japan hosted the 1992 AFC Asian Cup, which was reduced to eight teams and two groups, where it emerged victorious after beating Saudi Arabia, then-defending champions, 1–0, to win the country’s first major international honour.
South Korea, one of Asia’s most formidable football nations, continues to await its next continental championship victory. Several teams are entering the tournament with genuine aspirations of claiming the trophy. They are joined by the four best third-placed teams, creating a 16-team knockout stage. The highest-placed teams from each group earn direct qualification for the Round of 16. South Korea was paired with the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, and Yemen in their group draw. Australia’s Group D opponents include Iraq, Tajikistan, and Singapore, with the Socceroos having previously won the Asian title while Iraq boasts a championship-winning legacy and remains a powerhouse in West Asia.
Host nations of the qualification groups are also placed into a separate “Hosts Pot” to ensure they are distributed across different groups. The 24 teams were divided into six groups of four, seeded according to the November 2024 FIFA World Rankings. The third round of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification took place between March 25, 2025, and June 4, 2026. King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh will serve as the venue for both the tournament’s opening match and the Final, solidifying Riyadh’s role as the host of the first and last events. Matches will unfold across Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, creating a month-long itinerary for teams and supporters alike. AFC Asian Cup 2027 groups, teams, and football news updates available now.
Across 51 matches in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar, 24 national teams will battle to surpass Qatar, the defending two-time champions, in a quest for continental glory. Versatile and dynamic, Marhoon excels as an attacking midfielder or winger, blending creativity with a sharp goal-scoring instinct, making him pivotal for both club and nation. Stay updated with stadium confirmations, venue guides, and exclusive tournament stories delivered straight to your inbox. Here’s a ranking of the most expensive stadiums ever built, based on construction costs, alongside cost-per-seat calculations revealing the most extravagant investments. SoFi Stadium’s construction cost surpassed $5.5 billion, exceeding the combined expenses of the next two most expensive stadiums. Spanning from Narendra Modi Stadium to the expanded Camp Nou, here are the world’s largest stadiums, ranked by capacity, with context on what makes each one iconic.