The official draw for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 took place this Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. The results have set the stage for a thrilling tournament, featuring 24 teams competing for the continent’s most prestigious trophy, currently held by two-time defending champions Qatar.
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Opening Match and “Arab Groups”
The hosts, Saudi Arabia, will kick off the tournament on January 7 at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh. They find themselves in Group A, a purely Arab group alongside Kuwait, Oman, and Palestine.
The Group of Death
Defending champions Qatar face a monumental challenge in Group F, which has already been dubbed the “Group of Death,” featuring Asian powerhouse Japan, along with Thailand and Indonesia.
Full AFC Asian Cup 2027 Groups:
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Group A: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine.
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Group B: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, North Korea, Jordan.
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Group C: Iran, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, China.
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Group D: Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore.
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Group E: South Korea, UAE, Vietnam, (Yemen or Lebanon).
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Group F: Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia.
