2027 AFC Asian Cup

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2027 AFC Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027
كأس آسيا 2027
2027 AFC Asian Cup Logo.png
Bid logo
Tournament details
Host countrySaudi Arabia
Dates7 January – 5 February
Teams24 (from 1 confederation)
Venue(s)8 (in 3 host cities)
2023
2031

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Asia organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament involves 24 national teams after the expansion in 2019. It will be held in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2027. [1] [2]

Contents

The tournament will return to its usual four-year cycle, after the 2023 edition was postponed to 2024 due to the removal of China as hosts, and high summer temperatures in Qatar.

Qatar are the two-time defending champions.

Host selection

AFC confirmed that the following member associations expressed their interests to host 2027 Asian Cup before the 30 June 2020 deadline, [3] and they gave their necessary letters of undertaking in November. [4] On 17 October 2022, the AFC Executive Committee announced that the host of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup would be chosen by the AFC Congress at its next meeting on 1 February 2023 in Manama, Bahrain. [5] [6] However, India, one of the last two bidders, withdrew on 5 December [7] leaving Saudi Arabia as the only remaining bidder. On 1 February, the AFC confirmed that Saudi Arabia won the bid and will host the tournament for the first time. [1]

Venues

2027 AFC Asian Cup
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800km
500miles
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Location of the host cities of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

8 stadiums in 3 host cities will be used to play the tournament: [8]

CityStadiumCapacity
Riyadh King Fahd Sports City Stadium 70,000
Kingdom Arena 26,000
King Saud University Stadium 25,000
Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium21,000
Al Shabab Stadium 14,000
Jeddah King Abdullah Sports City Stadium 60,000
Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium 25,000
Al Khobar Al Khobar New Stadium 45,000

Teams

Qualification status
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Qualified for Asian Cup
Can qualify
Failed to qualify
Disqualified, withdrew, or excluded
Not an AFC member 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification map.svg
Qualification status
  Qualified for Asian Cup
  Can qualify
  Failed to qualify
  Disqualified, withdrew, or excluded
  Not an AFC member

The first two rounds of qualification will act as part of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia, which received automatic qualification for the Asian Cup as host, is also expected to participate in the qualifiers to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. [9]

Northern Mariana Islands, whose football association became the 47th full AFC member during the confederation's 30th Congress on 9 December 2020, [10] was only eligible to enter the qualification tournament for the Asian Cup, but was ultimately excluded. [11]

Qualified teams

TeamMethod of
qualification
Date of
qualification
Finals
appearances
First
appearance
Last
appearance
Previous best
performance
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Hosts1 February 202312th 1984 2023 Winners (1984, 1988, 1996)
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Second round Group I winners26 March 20246th 2007 2023 Winners (2015)
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Second round Group F winners26 March 202411th 1972 2023 Winners (2007)
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran Second round Group E winners26 March 202416th 1968 2023 Winners (1968, 1972, 1976)
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan Second round Group E runners-up26 March 20249th 1996 2023 Fourth place (2011)
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Second round Group A winners26 March 202412th 1980 2023 Winners (2019, 2023)
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates Second round Group H winners26 March 202412th 1980 2023 Runners-up (1996)
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan Second round Group B winners2 April 202411th 1988 2023 Winners (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Second round Group C winners6 June 202416th 1956 2023 Winners (1956, 1960)
Flag of Oman.svg  Oman Second round Group D winners6 June 20246th 2004 2023 Round of 16 (2019)
Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine Second round Group I runners-up6 June 20244th 2015 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain Second round Group H runners-up6 June 20248th 1988 2023 Fourth place (2004)
Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan Second round Group G winners6 June 20246th 2004 2023 Runners-up (2023)
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China Second round Group C runners-up11 June 202414th 1976 2023 Runners-up (1984, 2004)
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia Second round Group F runners-up11 June 20246th 1996 2023 Round of 16 (2023)
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea Second round Group B runners-up11 June 20246th 1980 2019 Fourth place (1980)
Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait Second round Group A runners-up11 June 202411th 1972 2015 Winners (1980)
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan Second round Group D runners-up11 June 20243rd 2019 2023 Round of 16 (2019)

Group stage

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia (H)00000000Advance to knockout stage
2A200000000
3A300000000Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4A400000000
First match(es) will be played: 7 January 2027. Source: AFC
(H) Hosts
Saudi Arabia  Flag of Saudi Arabia.svgMatch 1
Match

Match
Match

Match
Match

Group B

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1B100000000Advance to knockout stage
2B200000000
3B300000000Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4B400000000
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
Match
Match

Match
Match

Match
Match

Group C

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1C100000000Advance to knockout stage
2C200000000
3C300000000Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4C400000000
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
Match
Match

Match
Match

Match
Match

Group D

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1D100000000Advance to knockout stage
2D200000000
3D300000000Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4D400000000
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
Match
Match

Match
Match

Match
Match

Group E

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1E100000000Advance to knockout stage
2E200000000
3E300000000Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4E400000000
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
Match
Match

Match
Match

Match
Match

Group F

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1F100000000Advance to knockout stage
2F200000000
3F300000000Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4F400000000
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
Match
Match

Match
Match

Match
Match

Ranking of third-placed teams

The four best third-placed teams from the six groups advanced to the knockout stage along with the six group winners and six runners-up.

PosGrpTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 A Third place Group A00000000Advance to knockout stage
2 B Third place Group B00000000
3 C Third place Group C00000000
4 D Third place Group D00000000
5 E Third place Group E00000000
6 F Third place Group F00000000
First match(es) will be played: 15 January 2027. Source: AFC

Knockout stage

In the knockout stage, extra time and a penalty shoot-out were used to decide the winner if necessary.

Bracket

 
Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
 
              
 
January –
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Winner Match
 
January –
 
Winner Match
 
 
 
February –
 
 
 
Winner Match
 
January –
 
Winner Match
 
 
 
 
 
 
Winner Match
 
January –
 
Winner Match
 
 
 
5 February –
 
 
 
Winner Match 49
 
January –
 
Winner Match 50
 
 
 
 
 
 
Winner Match
 
January –
 
Winner Match
 
 
 
February –
 
 
 
Winner Match
 
January –
 
Winner Match
 
 
 
 
 
 
Winner Match
 
January –
 
Winner Match
 
 
 
 
 
 

All times are local, AST (UTC+3).

Round of 16

Match 37

Match 38

Match 39

Match 40

Match 41

Match 42

Match 43

Match 44

Quarter-finals

Match 45

Match 46

Match 47

Match 48

Semi-finals

Match 49

Match 50

Final

Winner Match 49Match 51Winner Match 50

Marketing

Sponsorship

Official Global Partners

Official Global Supporters

Broadcasting rights

The broadcasters around the world that acquired the rights to the tournament included:

TerritoryBroadcaster(s)Ref.
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina TVP and TyC Sports
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia Paramount+ and Network 10 [16]
Baltic States TV Start
Balkan Sport Klub
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh T Sports
Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei Astro SuperSport
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil ESPN
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Diema Sport
Caribbean ESPN
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada DAZN
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China iQiyi and Migu
Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia Hang Meas
Flag of East Timor.svg  East Timor MNC Media
Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji Mai TV
Flag of France.svg  France Triller TV
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany Sportdigital
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Slik Sports
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary SportTV
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong HOY TV
Flag of India.svg  India Fancode [17]
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia MNC Media
In-flight/in-shipSport 24
Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq Al-Rabia'a
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Sport 5
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy OneFootball
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan DAZN
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan Sport+
Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan KTRK
Flag of Laos.svg  Laos KJSMWorld
Latin America ESPN and DSports
Flag of the Arab League.svg  Middle East and North Africa (exc. IRN, IRQ, KSA, KUW, QAT and UAE) beIN Sports
Flag of Macau.svg  Macau M Plus Live
Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia Premier Sports
Flag of Malaysia 23px.svg  Malaysia Astro SuperSport and RTM
Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives PSM
Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar Canal+
Nordic C More Sport
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand Paramount +
Pacific Island YouTube (free of the world)
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea TV Wan
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines MNC Media
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Sport TV
Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar Al Kass
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania Antena
South Asia Football Sports Development Limited
Flag of San Marino.svg  San Marino OneFootball
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia Shahid and SSC [18] [19]
Sub-Saharan Africa StarTimes
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore MediaCorp
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea Coupang Play [20]
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain DAZN
Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan TV Varzish and TV Sports
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan ELTA
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Azam Sports
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand T Sports 7
Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey D-Smart
Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Sports
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Sport1
Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates AD Sports and Starzplay
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Triller TV
Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States Paramount + and CBS Sports
Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan MTRK
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam K+ [21] [22]

See also

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 "Saudi Arabia confirmed as hosts of the AFC Asian Cup 2027". Asian Football Confederation. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
    2. "Men's International Match Calendar 2023-2030" (PDF). FIFA. April 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
    3. "Five Member Associations express interest to host 2027 AFC Asian Cup". aseanfootball.org. ASEAN Football Federation. 2 July 2020.
    4. "All five 2027 Asian Cup bidders meet latest deadline to submit documents". Inside the Games. Dunsar Media Company Limited. 13 November 2020.
    5. "Qatar to host AFC Asian Cup 2023; India and Saudi Arabia shortlisted for 2027 edition". Asian Football Confederation. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
    6. "AFC Executive Committee (term 2023-2027): Final list of candidates confirmed". AFC. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
    7. "AIFF Statement". Asian Football Confederation. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
    8. "Two-year countdown: Dates for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ confirmed". The Asian Football Confederation. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
    9. "ExCo approves expanded AFC Asian Cup finals". Asian Football Confederation. 16 April 2014. Archived from the original on 3 May 2015.
    10. "AFC Congress approves NMIFA's membership". AFC. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2021.
    11. "Six teams to contest Qualifiers Playoff for Saudi Arabia 2027". AFC. 2 May 2024. Retrieved 2 May 2024.
    12. "AFC and NEOM announce global multi-year partnership extension". the-AFC. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
    13. "AFC and Qatar Airways announce global partnership". the-AFC. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
    14. "AFC and KONAMI sign new sponsorship and licensing deal". the-AFC. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
    15. "AFC and KELME extend multi-year partnership". the-AFC. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
    16. "Guide: AFC Competitions on 10 Play and Paramount+". 10play.com.au. 27 September 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
    17. "AFC partners with Fancode to stream Asian football competitions in India". AFC. 11 June 2024. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
    18. Nicholson, Paul (6 April 2021). "Saudi Sports Company wins AFC media rights in regional new deal". Inside World Football. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
    19. "AFC enters into landmark agreement with Saudi Sports Company".
    20. "AFC confirms media rights deal for the 2025-2028 cycle with Korea Republic's Coupang Play". the-AFC. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
    21. "K+ sở hữu bản quyền các giải bóng đá của AFC". vnExpress (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 13 January 2024.
    22. "AFC teams up with Canal+ Group in Vietnam for the 2025-2028 cycle". the-AFC. Retrieved 8 March 2024.