2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round

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2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round
Tournament details
Dates25 March 2025 – 4 June 2026
Teams24 (from 1 confederation)
Tournament statistics
Matches played71
Goals scored213 (3 per match)
Attendance720,335 (10,146 per match)
Top scorer Flag of Yemen.svg Nasser Al-Gahwashi (10 goals)
← 2023
2031 →
All statistics correct as of 31 March 2026.

The third round [note 1] of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification is played from 25 March 2025 to 4 June 2026. [1]

Contents

Format

A total of 24 teams (3 best ranked losing teams from the first round + 18 third and fourth-placed teams from the second round + 3 winners from the play-off round) will participate in the third round to compete for the final six slots in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. [2]

The 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. Only the group winners of each group will qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, where they will join the 18 teams which qualified directly from the second round. [3]

Qualified teams

Best-ranked losing teams from the first round:

Teams finishing third or fourth in their respective second round groups:

Play-off round winners:

Seeding

The draw was held on 9 December 2024 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, [8] at 15:00 (UTC+8). The teams were drawn into six groups of four teams each, with the seeding based on the November 2024 FIFA World Rankings.

The national teams which qualified are presented in bold.

FIFA Rankings as of 28 November 2024 [9]
Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3Pot 4
  1. Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria (95)
  2. Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand (97)
  3. Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan (104)
  4. Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon (112)
  5. Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam (116)
  6. Flag of India.svg  India (127)
  1. Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia (132)
  2. Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan (143)
  3. Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines (149)
  4. Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan (155)
  5. Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong (156)
  6. Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen (158)
  1. Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore (161)
  2. Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives (162)
  3. Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei (165)
  4. Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar (167)
  5. Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal (175)
  6. Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan (182)
  1. Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei (184)
  2. Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh (185)
  3. Flag of Laos.svg  Laos (186)
  4. Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste (196)
  5. Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan (198)
  6. Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka (200)

Schedule

The schedule of each matchday is as follows. [10] [11]

MatchdayDates
Matchday 125 March 2025
Matchday 210 June 2025
Matchday 39 October 2025
Matchday 414 October 2025
Matchday 518–19 November 2025, 26 March 2026 (Group E only)
Matchday 631 March 2026, 4 June 2026 (Group B only)

Rules

The winner of each group will qualify for the final tournament, joining the 18 teams that qualified directly (including the host).

Tiebreakers

The teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers will be applied in the following order (Regulations Article 7.3): [12]

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. If more than two teams are tied, and after applying criteria 1 to 3, a subset of teams is still tied, criteria 1 to 3 are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams are tied and they meet in the last round of the group;
  8. Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
  9. Drawing of lots.

Groups

Group A

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Tajikistan.svg Flag of the Philippines.svg Flag of Maldives.svg Flag of East Timor.svg
1Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 6420143+1114 2027 AFC Asian Cup 1–1 2–0 1–0
2Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 6420166+1014 2–2 4–1 3–1
3Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 6105313−103 0–3 0–2 2–1
4Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste 6105415−113 0–5 1–4 1–0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Tajikistan  Flag of Tajikistan.svg1–0Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Hanonov Soccerball shade.svg3' Report
Report (AFC)
Republic Central Stadium, Dushanbe
Attendance: 8,520
Referee: Seyed Vahid Kazemi (Iran)
Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg4–1Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives
Report
Report (AFC)
New Clark City Stadium, Capas
Attendance: 3,334
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)
Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg1–0Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives
Report
Report (AFC)
Territory Rugby League Stadium, Darwin (Australia) [note 3]
Attendance: 1,048
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)
Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg2–2Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan
Report
Report (AFC)
New Clark City Stadium, Capas
Attendance: 10,854
Referee: Hasan Akrami (Iran)
Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg1–4Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Freitas Soccerball shade.svg46' Report
Report (AFC) 		Kristensen Soccerball shade.svg15', 31', 49', 56'
Territory Rugby League Stadium, Darwin (Australia) [note 3]
Attendance: 1,356
Referee: Yudi Nurcahya (Indonesia)
Tajikistan  Flag of Tajikistan.svg2–0Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives
Report
Report (AFC)
Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor
Attendance: 5,250
Referee: Zayniddin Alimov (Kyrgyzstan)
Philippines  Flag of the Philippines.svg3–1Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report
Report (AFC)
New Clark City Stadium, Capas
Attendance: 8,753
Referee: Torphong Somsing (Thailand)
Maldives  Flag of Maldives.svg0–3Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan
Report
Report (AFC)
National Football Stadium, Malé
Attendance: 3,120
Referee: Mohanad Qasim Sarray (Iraq)
Timor-Leste  Flag of East Timor.svg0–5Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Territory Rugby League Stadium, Darwin (Australia) [note 3]
Attendance: 538
Referee: Adam Kersey (Australia)
Maldives  Flag of Maldives.svg0–2Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Report
Report (AFC)
National Football Stadium, Malé
Attendance: 1,591
Referee: Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain)
Maldives  Flag of Maldives.svg2–1Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste
Report
Report (AFC)
National Football Stadium, Malé
Attendance: 500
Referee: Razlan Joffri Ali (Malaysia)
Tajikistan  Flag of Tajikistan.svg1–1Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines
Report
Report (AFC)
Hisor Central Stadium, Hisor
Attendance: 15,200
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara (Japan)

Group B

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Lebanon.svg Flag of Yemen.svg Flag of Bhutan.svg Flag of Brunei.svg
1Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 5410140+1413 2027 AFC Asian Cup 4 Jun 2–0 5–0
2Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 5320181+1711 0–0 7–1 9–0
3Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan (E)6114416−124 0–4 0–0 2–1
4Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei (E)6105322−193 0–3 0–2 2–1
Updated to match(es) played on 31 March 2026. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg0–0Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
Report
Report (AFC)
Changlimithang Stadium, Thimphu
Attendance: 4,700
Referee: Thoriq Alkatiri (Indonesia)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg5–0Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Report (AFC)
Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al-Wakrah (Qatar) [note 4]
Attendance: 282
Referee: Venkatesh Ramachandran (India)
Brunei  Flag of Brunei.svg2–1Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Report
Report (AFC)
Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan
Attendance: 3,158
Referee: Mongkolchai Pechsri (Thailand)
Yemen  Flag of Yemen.svg0–0Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Report (AFC)
Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Stadium, Sulaibikhat (Kuwait) [note 5]
Attendance: 1,512
Referee: Mahmood Al-Majarafi (Oman)
Brunei  Flag of Brunei.svg0–2Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
Report
Report (AFC)
Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan
Attendance: 1,529
Referee: Ngô Duy Lân (Vietnam)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svg2–0Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Report
Report (AFC)
Grand Hamad Stadium, Doha (Qatar) [note 4]
Attendance: 366
Referee: Morteza Mansourian (Iran)
Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg0–4Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Report (AFC)
Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al-Wakrah (Qatar) [note 6]
Attendance: 397
Referee: Zhang Lei (China)
Yemen  Flag of Yemen.svg9–0Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Report (AFC)
Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City (Kuwait) [note 5]
Attendance: 755
Referee: Meder Tayçiev (Kyrgyzstan)
Brunei  Flag of Brunei.svg0–3Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon
Report
Report (AFC)
Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium, Bandar Seri Begawan
Attendance: 2,667
Referee: Hasan Akrami (Iran)
Yemen  Flag of Yemen.svg7–1Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan
Report
Report (AFC)
Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, Farwaniya (Kuwait) [note 5]
Attendance: 350
Referee: Tam Ping Wun (Hong Kong)
Bhutan  Flag of Bhutan.svg2–1Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei
Report
Report (AFC)
Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati (India) [15]
Attendance: 549
Referee: Venkatesh Ramachandran (India)
Lebanon  Flag of Lebanon.svgvFlag of Yemen.svg  Yemen
TBC [note 4]

Group C

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Singapore.svg Flag of Hong Kong.svg Flag of Bangladesh.svg Flag of India.svg
1Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 642084+414 2027 AFC Asian Cup 0–0 1–0 1–1
2Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 62228808 1–2 1–1 1–0
3Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 612368−25 1–2 3–4 1–0
4Flag of India.svg  India 612346−25 1–2 2–1 0–0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg0–0Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
Report (AFC)
National Stadium, Kallang
Attendance: 8,064
Referee: Chae Sang-hyeop (South Korea)
India  Flag of India.svg0–0Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
Report (AFC)
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Shillong
Attendance: 14,952
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)
Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg1–0Flag of India.svg  India
Pereira Soccerball shade.svg90+4' (pen.) Report
Report (AFC)
Kai Tak Stadium, Kowloon
Attendance: 42,570
Referee: Ahmad Alaeddin (Lebanon)
Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg1–2Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Rakib Soccerball shade.svg67' Report
Report (AFC)
National Stadium, Dhaka
Attendance: 21,317
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg1–1Flag of India.svg  India
Ikhsan Soccerball shade.svg45+1' Report
Report (AFC) 		Rahim Soccerball shade.svg90'
National Stadium, Kallang
Attendance: 13,232
Referee: Shen Yinhao (China)
Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg3–4Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
Report (AFC)
National Stadium, Dhaka
Attendance: 22,343
Referee: Saud Al-Samhan (Kuwait)
Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg1–1Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Orr Soccerball shade.svg36' (pen.) Report
Report (AFC) 		Rakib Soccerball shade.svg84'
Kai Tak Stadium, Kowloon
Attendance: 45,489
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara (Japan)
India  Flag of India.svg1–2Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Chhangte Soccerball shade.svg14' Report
Report (AFC) 		Song Ui-young Soccerball shade.svg44', 58'
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Margao
Attendance: 2,036
Referee: Mohamad Issa (Lebanon)
Hong Kong  Flag of Hong Kong.svg1–2Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore
Orr Soccerball shade.svg15' Report
Report (AFC)
Kai Tak Stadium, Kowloon
Attendance: 47,762
Referee: Sivakorn Pu-udom (Thailand)
Bangladesh  Flag of Bangladesh.svg1–0Flag of India.svg  India
Morsalin Soccerball shade.svg11' Report
Report (AFC)
National Stadium, Dhaka
Attendance: 23,712
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Singapore  Flag of Singapore.svg1–0Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh
Report
Report (AFC)
National Stadium, Kallang
Attendance: 30,105
Referee: Ben Abraham (Australia)
India  Flag of India.svg2–1Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong
Report
Report (AFC)
Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi
Attendance: 22,690
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)

Group D

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Thailand.svg Flag of Turkmenistan.svg Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg
1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 6501165+1115 2027 AFC Asian Cup 2–1 1–0 2–0
2Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 6402117+412 3–1 2–1 3–1
3Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 630389−19 0–4 1–0 3–1
4Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei 6006519−140 1–6 1–2 1–3
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg1–2Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Kouamé Soccerball shade.svg63' Report
Report (AFC)
National Stadium, Kaohsiung
Attendance: 1,897
Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Ruaile (Qatar)
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg1–0Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Gustavsson Soccerball shade.svg43' Report
Report (AFC)
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Attendance: 17,207
Referee: Zhang Lei (China)
Sri Lanka  Flag of Sri Lanka.svg3–1Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Report
Report (AFC)
Colombo Racecourse, Colombo
Attendance: 3,710
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg3–1Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Report
Report (AFC)
Ashgabat Stadium, Ashgabat
Attendance: 15,545
Referee: Ismaeel Habib Ali (Bahrain)
Sri Lanka  Flag of Sri Lanka.svg1–0Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Colombo Racecourse, Colombo
Attendance: 2,440
Referee: Tam Ping Wun (Hong Kong)
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg2–0Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Report
Report (AFC)
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Attendance: 13,970
Referee: Amir Arab Baraghi (Iran)
Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg1–6Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Report
Report (AFC)
Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei
Attendance: 4,563
Referee: Omar Al Yaqoubi (Oman)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg2–1Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Report
Report (AFC)
Arkadag Stadium, Arkadag
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Asker Nadjafaliyev (Uzbekistan)
Sri Lanka  Flag of Sri Lanka.svg0–4Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand
Report
Report (AFC)
Colombo Racecourse, Colombo
Attendance: 2,910
Referee: Sultan Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
Turkmenistan  Flag of Turkmenistan.svg3–1Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg  Chinese Taipei
Report
Report (AFC)
Arkadag Stadium, Arkadag
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Yousif Saeed Hasan (Iraq)
Chinese Taipei  Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986-2010).svg1–3Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka
Report
Report (AFC)
Taipei Municipal Stadium, Taipei
Attendance: 1,556
Referee: Jansen Foo (Singapore)
Thailand  Flag of Thailand.svg2–1Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Attendance: 37,373
Referee: Shen Yinhao (China)

Group E

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Flag of Myanmar.svg Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg Flag of Pakistan.svg
1Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria 6600212+1918 2027 AFC Asian Cup 5–1 5–1 2–0
2Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 6402811−312 0–3 2–1 1–0
3Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan 6024411−72 0–1 1–2 1–1
4Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 6024211−92 0–5 1–2 0–0
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg2–1Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Yahya Al-Balushi (Oman)
Syria  Flag of Syria (2025-).svg2–0Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium, Hofuf (Saudi Arabia) [note 8]
Attendance: 1,217
Referee: Sivakorn Pu-Udom (Thailand)
Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg1–0Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: Zhang Lei (China)
Afghanistan  Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg0–1Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
Report (AFC)
Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium, Hofuf (Saudi Arabia) [note 9]
Attendance: 532
Referee: Yousif Saeed Hasan (Iraq)
Pakistan  Flag of Pakistan.svg0–0Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad
Attendance: 7,375
Referee: Mohammed Al-Shammari (Qatar)
Syria  Flag of Syria (2025-).svg5–1Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Report
Report (AFC)
Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium, Hofuf (Saudi Arabia) [note 8]
Attendance: 198
Referee: Mohammad Mofeed (Jordan)
Myanmar  Flag of Myanmar.svg0–3Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
Report (AFC)
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Attendance: 3,514
Referee: Tuan Yaasin Hanafiah (Malaysia)
Afghanistan  Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg1–1Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Ali Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, Farwaniya (Kuwait) [note 9]
Attendance: 750
Referee: Abdullo Davlatov (Tajikistan)
Pakistan  Flag of Pakistan.svg0–5Flag of Syria (2025-).svg  Syria
Report
Report (AFC)
Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad
Attendance: 7,124
Referee: Virendha Rai (Bhutan)
Afghanistan  Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg1–2Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Report
Report (AFC)
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon (Myanmar) [note 9]
Attendance: 1,760
Referee: Ngô Duy Lân (Vietnam)
Pakistan  Flag of Pakistan.svg1–2Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar
Report
Report (AFC)
Jinnah Sports Stadium, Islamabad
Attendance: 0
Referee: Firdavs Nosafarov (Uzbekistan)
Syria  Flag of Syria (2025-).svg5–1Flag of Afghanistan (2013-2021).svg  Afghanistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) [note 8]
Referee: Nasrullo Kabirov (Tajikistan)

Group F

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Vietnam.svg Flag of Malaysia.svg Flag of Laos.svg Flag of Nepal.svg
1Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 6600172+1518 2027 AFC Asian Cup 3–1 5–0 3–1
2Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia [a] 6303101009 0–3 [a] 5–1 0–3 [a]
3Flag of Laos.svg  Laos 6204416−126 0–2 0–3 2–1
4Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal 610558−33 0–1 0–1 0–1
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents. These players played in the match against Nepal and Vietnam. [19] On 5 March, CAS dismissed FAM's appeal on the falsified documents case. [20] [21] On 17 March 2026, the AFC overturned Malaysia's wins against Nepal (on 25 March 2025) and Vietnam (on 10 June 2025) to 0–3 defeats. [22]
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg5–0Flag of Laos.svg  Laos
Report
Report (AFC)
Gò Đậu Stadium, Thủ Dầu Một [note 11]
Attendance: 11,068
Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates)
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg0–3
Awarded [note 12] 		Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Report (AFC)
Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri
Attendance: 7,895
Referee: Hiroki Kasahara (Japan)
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg2–1Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Report (AFC) 		Dangi Soccerball shade.svg73' (pen.)
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Attendance: 5,123
Referee: Nivon Robesh Gamini (Sri Lanka)
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg0–3
Awarded [note 13] 		Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam
Report
Report (AFC)
Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Attendance: 61,512
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg0–3Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report
Report (AFC)
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Attendance: 5,289
Referee: Wiwat Jumpao-on (Thailand)
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg3–1Flag of Nepal.svg    Nepal
Report
Report (AFC)
Gò Đậu Stadium, Thủ Dầu Một [note 11]
Attendance: 8,597
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai (South Korea)
Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg0–1Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam
Report
Report (AFC)
Thống Nhất Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) [note 15]
Attendance: 6,870
Referee: Mohamed Khaled (Bahrain)
Malaysia  Flag of Malaysia.svg5–1Flag of Laos.svg  Laos
Report
Report (AFC)
Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur
Attendance: 18,901
Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)
Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg0–1Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report
Report (AFC) 		Faisal Soccerball shade.svg56'
Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) [note 15]
Attendance: 14,243
Referee: Kim Dae-yong (South Korea)
Laos  Flag of Laos.svg0–2Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam
Report
Report (AFC)
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane
Attendance: 16,250
Referee: Ali Reda (Lebanon)
Vietnam  Flag of Vietnam.svg3–1Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia
Report
Report (AFC)
Thiên Trường Stadium, Ninh Bình
Attendance: 19,518
Referee: Chae Sang-hyeop (South Korea)
Nepal    Flag of Nepal.svg0–1Flag of Laos.svg  Laos
Report
Report (AFC)
New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane (Laos) [note 15]
Attendance: 2,327
Referee: Ahmad A'Qashah (Singapore)

Goalscorers

There have been 213 goals scored in 71 matches, for an average of 3 goals per match (as of 31 March 2026). Players highlighted in bold are still active in the competition.

10 goals

8 goals

6 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Notes

  1. ↑ Referred to as the final round
  2. ↑ FIFA suspended Pakistan from all football activities on 6 February 2025 due to failing to adopt a version of the PFF constitution that had been approved by FIFA and AFC. [4] [5] The PFF voted to approve the constitutional changes on 27 February 2025, and the suspension was lifted on 2 March 2025. [6] [7]
  3. 1 2 3 Timor-Leste played their home games outside the country, due to a lack of an available venue that meet FIFA standards. [13] [14]
  4. 1 2 3 Lebanon are required to play all their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Hezbollah–Israel conflict.
  5. 1 2 3 Yemen are required to play their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Yemeni civil war.
  6. ↑ Neutral venue
  7. ↑ Originally scheduled for 31 March 2026, the match was rescheduled for 4 June 2026 due to the 2026 Lebanon war. [16]
  8. 1 2 3 Syria played their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Syrian conflict.
  9. 1 2 3 Afghanistan played their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Afghan conflict.
  10. ↑ Afghanistan planned to play their home match against Myanmar in Bangladesh on 18 November 2025, but Myanmar refused to play in Bangladesh. [17] The AFC determined to postpone the match to 26 March 2026. [18]
  11. 1 2 Thủ Dầu Một was incorporated to Ho Chi Minh City in 1 July 2025.
  12. ↑ On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents. [19] One player, Hector Hevel played in the match against Nepal. On 5 March 2026, the CAS confirmed the penalties for which AFC overturned the game as a 3–0 victory for Nepal on 17 March 2026. [22]
  13. ↑ On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents. [19] All seven players played in the match against Vietnam. On 5 March 2026, the CAS confirmed the penalties for which AFC overturned the game as a 3–0 victory for Vietnam on 17 March 2026. [22]
  14. ↑ Match time was previously 19:30, but due to rain in Ho Chi Minh City, it was delayed for 30 minutes
  15. 1 2 3 Stadiums in Nepal do not meet AFC requirements, thus Nepal are required to play their home matches at a neutral venue. [23] [24]
  16. ↑ The match between Laos v Vietnam was postponed to 19 November 2025 (originally 18 November 2025) due to reasons related to organization and travel of the host team. [25]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". Asian Football Confederation . 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. ↑ "Asia's pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup™ 2027 confirmed". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
  3. ↑ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". Asian Football Confederation. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  4. ↑ "FIFA suspends the Congolese Football Association and the Pakistan Football Federation". FIFA.com. FIFA. 6 February 2025.
  5. ↑ Lakhani, Faizan. "Pakistan ruled out of AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers due to Fifa suspension". thenews.com.pk. The News International. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  6. ↑ "Pakistan soccer approves steps wanted by FIFA to lift international suspension". Associated Press. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  7. ↑ Grafström, Mattias. "Lifting of the suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)" (PDF). FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  8. ↑ "Asian Football Calendar (December 2024 – November 2025)". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "FIFA Men's World Ranking – November 2024". FIFA.com. FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  10. ↑ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2024 - Jun 2025)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  11. ↑ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  12. ↑ "AFC Asian Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia Competition Regulations" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 August 2024. p. 25.
  13. ↑ "Darwin hosts high-stakes international soccer match for the first time". ABC News. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  14. ↑ "Football Federation of Timor-Leste President discusses new stadium with Gianni Infantino". FIFA.com. FIFA. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  15. ↑ "3rd Round". AFC. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
  16. ↑ https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/afc_news.html/news/update-on-afc-asian-cup-saudi-arabia-2027%E2%84%A2-qualifiers-final-round
  17. ↑ "Bangladesh to host Nepal after Myanmar refuse to play". New Age. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  18. ↑ "AFC Asian Cup - Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Preview". Asian Football Confederation. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  19. 1 2 3 "FIFA sanctions Football Association of Malaysia and seven players". FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  20. ↑ "CAS partly amends sanction against seven players falsely made eligible to play for Malaysia" (PDF). Court of Arbitration for Sport . Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2026.
  21. ↑ "MEDIA RELEASE: FAM ACKNOWLEDGE DECISION FROM THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS)". Football Association of Malaysia . 6 March 2026. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
  22. 1 2 3 "List of the AFC DEC Decision 17 March 2026" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 17 March 2026. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2026. 2. The AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Nepal which took place on 25 March 2025 is forfeited by Malaysia. Accordingly, applying Article 25.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, Malaysia shall be considered to have lost the AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Nepal which took place on 25 March 2025 by a score of 0-3. 3. The AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Vietnam which took place on 10 June 2025 is forfeited by Malaysia. Accordingly, applying Article 25.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, Malaysia shall be considered to have lost the AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Vietnam which took place on 10 June 2025 by a score of 0-3.
  23. ↑ "Nepal mượn sân Thống Nhất đá vòng loại Asian Cup". Vnexpress. 10 September 2025.
  24. ↑ "Bukit Jalil to host Malaysia's 'away' clash with Nepal". NST Online. 16 September 2025.
  25. ↑ "Change the schedule of the match between Laos and Vietnam". vietnam.vn. Znews. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
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