Doha: Qatar, seeking a hat-trick of Asian Cup titles, will face four-time champions Japan, Thailand and Indonesia in Group F after the final draw for the continent’s premier tournament produced an intriguing set of fixtures.
Qatar defeated Jordan 3-1 in February 2024 to retain the crown they first won in 2019.
The draw ceremony took place at Salwa Palace in Riyadh yesterday. The tournament, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time, will kick off on January 7, 2027.
Saudi Arabia, seeking to lift the coveted trophy for the fourth time, will face 1980 winners Kuwait, Oman and Palestine in Group A. The hosts will kick off the tournament with an enticing encounter against Palestine at the 72,000-seater King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.
Group B will see Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea and Jordan vying for the two automatic spots to the Round of 16.
Standing in Islamic Republic of Iran’s way of a fourth title in Group C will be Syria, Kyrgyz Republic and China.
Australia - champions in 2015, lead Group D, with Tajikistan, 2007 winners Iraq and Singapore their challengers.
Aiming to deny twice-winners Korea Republic progression from Group E will be United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and either Lebanon or Yemen, who will meet in June to decide the final qualifier for the continental showpiece.
Four-time winners Japan lead the Group F cast, with defending champions Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia also seeking to advance to the knockout stage.
The top two sides from each group and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16, which will be played between January 22 and 25. The quarter-finals are scheduled for January 28 and 29, with the semi-finals on February 1 and 2.
The final will be played on February 5, 2027 at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, where the champions of the 19th edition will be crowned.
Draw Result
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine
Group B: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea, Jordan
Group C: IR Iran, Syria, Kyrgyz Republic, China PR
Group D: Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore
Group E: Korea Republic, UAE, Vietnam, Lebanon/Yemen
Group F: Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia
