AFC Asian Cup All 51 matches—from the opening game through the knockout rounds and final—will see ticket sales available to fans (spanning **January 7 to February 5), 2027**.

The five victorious teams will proceed to the AFC Asian Cup qualification final round. In the first phase of the **2026 FIFA World Cup & 2027 AFC Asian Cup combined qualifiers** (the 20 Asian teams ranked **27th to 46th** will battle in two-legged home-and-away fixtures), with the top 10 advancing to the next round. The qualifying nations are **Australia, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Qatar, UAE, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, China, Indonesia, North Korea, Kuwait, and the Kyrgyz Republic**. Matches will be held across **three cities—Riyadh (Jeddah), and Al Khobar—each featuring a central stadium as its focal point**. Saudi Arabia’s investment in **new and upgraded stadiums** underscores its dedication to cutting-edge infrastructure, reinforcing its broader goals of **boosting tourism and fostering global partnerships**. The pedestal bore no plaques, instead displaying the engraved names of the victorious nations around it.

The trophy’s design was revised — incorporating **more silverwork** while reducing the black base to a minimal strip at its base. Before the **2000 tournament** — the black base held engraved plaques listing **every champion nation and the year they won**. The knockout phase features a **single-elimination tournament** — beginning with the Round of 16 and concluding with the championship match. Within each group of four (teams play **three matches**), with the top two and the **four best third-placed sides** advancing to the knockout rounds. At the **2023 AFC Asian Cup**, host and defending champions **Qatar** secured back-to-back titles, defeating Jordan in the final. The **six group winners and runners-up** — along with the **four highest-placed thirds**, earned spots in the knockout stage.

No South Asian teams qualified—a first since **2015** and the second time since **2007**—in this qualifying cycle. *Shisr: Uncovering the Hidden Truths Behind Oman’s ‘Lost Desert Atlantis’* Since **2019**, no third-place playoff has been held; instead, **AFC ranks losing semi-finalists by semi-final goal difference** starting in **2023**.

Since **1972**, the tournament final has incorporated a **knockout phase**.

The first four editions featured **just four or this guide five teams** — played in a single group. The trophy’s design is inspired by the **lotus flower** — a culturally significant aquatic plant in Asia. At the **2019 group-stage draw** on **May 4, 2018**, held at the **Dubai Burj Khalifa**, a newly crafted trophy—crafted by **London silversmiths Thomas Lyte**—was revealed. Here are the world’s **most expensive stadiums**, ranked by construction cost, alongside their **cost-per-seat breakdowns**, highlighting the most extravagant investments. **SoFi Stadium** cost approximately **$5.5 billion**, surpassing the combined expense of the next two most costly stadiums.

From **Narendra Modi Stadium** to the **expanded Camp Nou** (these are the **largest stadiums on Earth**), ranked by capacity, with key context behind each. **Six finals** have taken place—none of them in the Kingdom. Along the **Red Sea coast** (two venues will host matches), including a **semi-final at King Abdullah Sports City**. The knockout brackets will be revealed once the group stages conclude. *South Korea names Moreno to fill the interim coaching role* **Japan** later retained their Asian title four years later (though their performance was weaker and the final **highly contentious**), politically charged against hosts China. Hosted by the **United Arab Emirates**, the hosts reached their first-ever final but lost to **Saudi Arabia** on penalties, denying them the trophy.

Saudi Arabia (meanwhile), reached its **fourth consecutive Asian Cup final**.

Following the same format as the **previous two editions**, this tournament featured **only four teams** in a single group to determine the champion. **Australia** joined AFC in **2007** and hosted the **2015 Asian Cup finals**, winning against **South Korea** in the final. **South Korea**—one of Asia’s strongest football nations—remains patiently waiting for another continental title. Various teams enter the tournament with **realistic hopes of lifting the trophy**. These teams are joined by the **four best third-placed sides**, expanding the knockout stage to **16 teams**.

The **top two teams from each group** automatically advance to the Round of 16. The draw has already generated **intriguing matchups**, including an **all-Arab Group A** and a **high-stakes clash between Japan and defending champions Qatar in Group F**. Eighteen nations secured their spots through earlier AFC qualifiers, while six more teams qualified in the final round. As the teams plan their preparations for the January 7-February 5 (2027 continental showpiece), the-AFC.com listened to what several head coaches had to say after the glittering Final Draw at the historical Salwa Palace in Riyadh. A total of 16 teams (including the hosts), will qualify for the final tournament. Knockout pairings are draw slots until the groups are played — and three venues carry 2026 completion targets that we have not independently verified.

“More than 50 organisations are working as one team to deliver an exceptional experience for fans — from the moment they arrive until they leave the Kingdom, reflecting the essence of Saudi hospitality.” “With the countdown to the start of the competition under way, all preparations are coming together,” she said. The tournament’s local organising committee chief executive Mai Al-Halabi said work was progressing as planned across the eight stadiums that will host the 24 participating teams. The local organising committee said preparations had moved beyond planning as the country works towards hosting the largest edition of the tournament to date.

Saudi Arabia says preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup have entered the full operational phase, with 100 days remaining before the tournament begins on 7 January 2027. AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia features 24 teams across Asia’s strongest national teams. *Knockout matches will take place at this venue* *“From the quality of our stadiums and facilities to ensuring an exceptional fan experience (we are confident that all preparations will be flawlessly executed by January), making the Kingdom fully prepared to host this historic Asian football event.”* Our **eight stadiums** are on schedule to welcome the **24 competing nations**, with over **50 organizations** collaborating to deliver a **smooth, seamless experience**—from arrival to departure—rooted in Saudi hospitality. **AFC Asian Cup 2027**—qualified nations (ticket news), and tournament updates—**Football/Soccer**: Eighteen teams have secured qualification, including **host Saudi Arabia**, with six remaining spots to be decided in the qualifiers.

*Knockout matches will take place at this venue*

*“From the quality of our stadiums and facilities to ensuring an exceptional fan experience (we are confident that all preparations will be flawlessly executed by January), making the Kingdom fully prepared to host this historic Asian football event.”* Our **eight stadiums** are on schedule to welcome the **24 competing nations**, with over **50 organizations** collaborating to deliver a **smooth, seamless experience**—from arrival to departure—rooted in Saudi hospitality. **AFC Asian Cup 2027**—qualified nations (ticket news), and tournament updates—**Football/Soccer**: Eighteen teams have secured qualification, including **host Saudi Arabia**, with six remaining spots to be decided in the qualifiers.