Saudi Arabia will host defending champions Qatar and record winners Japan in the same group at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup after the tournament draw was held in Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh on Saturday.
The tournament, which runs from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, marks the first time Saudi Arabia will stage Asia’s premier football competition, as the kingdom continues preparations toward hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Japan, the most successful nation in Asian Cup history with four titles, were drawn into Group F alongside Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia. Qatar enter the tournament as back-to-back champions after winning the 2019 and 2023 editions.
Hosts Saudi Arabia were placed in Group A with Kuwait, Oman and Palestine. Saudi coach Giorgos Donis said playing on home soil could provide an advantage despite the added pressure.
“We have the advantage of playing at home,” Donis told AFP, adding that the team would rely on its experience to manage expectations.
The competition will feature 24 national teams for the third consecutive edition, with 23 teams already confirmed. The final place will be decided in a playoff between Lebanon and Yemen in Doha on June 4.
The opening match is scheduled for June 7 at the refurbished King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, which has a capacity of 72,000 spectators and is the largest venue selected for the tournament.
Teams were divided into four pots based on the latest FIFA rankings released on April 1. Japan entered the draw as Asia’s highest-ranked side at 18th in the world, followed by Iran, South Korea and Australia.
Saudi Arabia will seek a fourth Asian Cup title after lifting the trophy in 1984, 1988 and 1996.
Groups For The 2027 AFC Asian Cup
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine
Group B: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea, Jordan
Group C: Iran, Syria, Kyrgyz Republic, China
Group D: Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore
Group E: South Korea, UAE, Vietnam, Lebanon/Yemen
Group F: Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia
