INA - BAGHDAD
The draw for the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, to be hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history, will take place next Saturday.
The tournament is scheduled to commence on December 7, 2026, and conclude on February 5, 2027, with the participation of 24 teams divided into four pots of six teams each, based on the latest FIFA rankings released on April 1.
AFC stated that, "To ensure Saudi Arabia plays the opening match, the host nation was placed in Pot 1 and will be the first team drawn. The pots are as follows:
- Pot 1: Saudi Arabia (FIFA World Ranking: 61), Japan (18), Iran (21), South Korea (25), Australia (27), Uzbekistan (50).
- Pot 2: Qatar (55), Iraq (57), Jordan (63), UAE (68), Oman (79), Syria (84).
- Pot 3: Bahrain (91), Thailand (93), China (94), Palestine (95), Vietnam (99), Tajikistan (103).
- Pot 4: Kyrgyzstan (107), North Korea (118), Indonesia (122), Kuwait (134), Singapore (147), Lebanon (108), or Yemen (149).
Twenty-three teams have already qualified for the finals, and the final spot will be decided between Lebanon and Yemen.
Lebanon and Yemen will meet on June 4th, 2026, to determine who qualifies, as well have the teams drawn into six groups, each containing four teams, from Group 1 to Group 6.
