Japan to face Qatar in AFC Asian Cup 2027 group stage

Saudi Arabia to Host Asian Cup 2027 Football Tournament

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that Saudi Arabia will host the 24-team tournament from January 7 to February 5, 2027. The tournament is scheduled to feature four teams from West Asia: Kuwait, Oman, and Palestine, as well as Saudi Arabia.

In Group F, Japan will compete against Indonesia and Thailand, while Qatar will face off against champions in 2019 and 2023, Japan. The AFC has expressed hope that the competition will proceed without any further complications following a delay in the draw due to the US-Israel war on Iran.

The final field is still incomplete as the Lebanon-Yemen match was postponed from March 31 to June. Saudi Arabia’s coach, Giorgios Donis, stated that his team aims to win the title for the first time since 1996. Uzbekistan and Jordan will make their World Cup debut in June, competing in Group B alongside North Korea and Bahrain.

Australia has been drawn into Group D along with former champions Iraq, Tajikistan, and Singapore, who have qualified for the tournament after a 39-year absence. The top two teams from each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams, will progress to the round of 16.

Source: Al Jazeera