The groups for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 have been confirmed following the final draw in Riyadh, setting the stage for Asia’s biggest international football tournament. The draw divided 24 nations into six groups, with several heavyweight clashes already on the horizon.
Hosts Saudi Arabia were placed in Group A alongside Kuwait, Oman and Palestine. Defending champions Qatar landed in a challenging Group F with Japan, Thailand and Indonesia, while South Korea headlined Group E with the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Yemen.
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Groups
Group A
- Saudi Arabia
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Palestine
Group B
- Uzbekistan
- Bahrain
- North Korea
- Jordan
Group C
- Iran
- Syria
- Kyrgyzstan
- China
Group D
- Australia
- Tajikistan
- Iraq
- Singapore
Group E
- South Korea
- United Arab Emirates
- Vietnam
- Yemen
Group F
- Japan
- Qatar
- Thailand
- Indonesia
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 will take place in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027. The tournament marks the 19th edition of Asia’s premier men’s national team competition and will feature 24 teams competing for continental glory.
Saudi Arabia will host the tournament for the first time, with matches scheduled across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Eight stadiums will be used during the competition, including King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah and the newly built Aramco Stadium in Al Khobar.
The tournament returns to its traditional four-year cycle and will begin with a group stage featuring six groups of four teams each. The six group winners, six runners-up and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16 before the competition moves into the knockout rounds.
Several standout matchups emerged from the draw. Group F will see two-time defending champions Qatar renew their rivalry with Japan in a repeat of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup final. Group E features South Korea and the UAE, while Australia and Iraq are expected to battle for supremacy in Group D.
With the groups now finalized and the match schedule confirmed, attention turns toward January 2027 as Asia’s best national teams prepare to compete for one of football’s most prestigious continental titles.
