The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Asia organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament will involve 24 national teams after the expansion in 2019. It will be held in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2027.
The tournament will return to its usual four-year cycle, after the 2023 edition was postponed to 2024 due to the removal of China as hosts and high summer temperatures in Qatar. It will also be the final edition to take place in odd-numbered years, with the tournament switching back to even-numbered years (as was the case from 1956 to 2004) from the 2032 edition onwards.
Qatar are the two-time defending champions, having won their first two titles in 2019 and 2023.
Host selection
AFC confirmed the list of member associations expressed their interests to host 2027 Asian Cup before the 30 June 2020 deadline, and they gave their necessary letters of undertaking in November. On 17 October 2022, the AFC Executive Committee announced that the host of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup would be chosen by the AFC Congress at its next meeting on 1 February 2023 in Manama, Bahrain. However, India, one of the last two bidders, withdrew on 5 December, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only remaining bidder. On 1 February, the AFC confirmed that Saudi Arabia won the bid and will host the tournament for the first time.
Venues
The tournament will be played across eight stadiums in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar.
+ City Stadium Capacity Image Riyadh King Fahd Sports City Stadium 70,000(after renovation) King Saud University Stadium 25,000 Kingdom Arena 26,000 21,000(after renovation) Al Shabab Stadium 14,000 Jeddah King Abdullah Sports City Stadium 60,000 Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium 25,000 Khobar Aramco Stadium 45,000(new)
Teams
The first two rounds of qualification acted as part of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia, which received automatic qualification for the Asian Cup as host, also participated in the qualifiers to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The Northern Mariana Islands, whose football association became the 47th full AFC member during the confederation's 30th Congress on 9 December 2020, was only eligible to enter the qualification tournament for the Asian Cup, but was ultimately excluded.
Qualified teams Singapore qualified on merit for the first time, having only previously appeared in 1984 as hosts. Iran extended their qualification record, having qualified 16 straight times for every edition since 1968. None of the South Asian national teams qualified, a first since 2015 and only the second time since 2007. No new teams qualified for this edition, the first since 2011 and only the second time since 1992.
Team Method ofqualification Date ofqualification Appearances Previous bestperformanceTotal First Last (1976, 2019)
Draw The draw was originally supposed to be held on 11 April 2026, but was postponed until 9 May 2026 (at the At-Turaif District in Diriyah) amidst concerns over the 2026 Iran war.
+From the April 2026 FIFA Men's World Rankings Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4 (61) (hosts) (18) (21) (25) (27) (50) (55) (57) (63) (68) (79) (84) (91) (93) (94) (95) (99) (103) (107) (118) (122) (134) (147) (149)
Draw result The groups were confirmed following the draw:
+ Group A Team A1 A2 A3 A4
+ Group B Team B1 B2 B3 B4
+ Group C Team C1 C2 C3 C4
+ Group D Team D1 D2 D3 D4
+ Group E Team E1 E2 E3 E4
+ Group F Team F1 F2 F3 F4
Officiating On 24 September 2026, the AFC announced the list of 24 referees, 41 assistant referees, and 11 video match officials for the tournament.
Referees
Alex King Alireza Faghani Ammar Mahfoodh Ma Ning Mooud Bonyadifard Zaid Thamer Mohammed Yusuke Araki Adham Makhadmeh Abdullah Jamali Ahmad Al-Ali Donatas Rumšas Nazmi Nasaruddin Qasim Al-Hatmi Abdulrahman Al-Jassim Salman Falahi Mohammed Al-Hoish Khalid Al-Turais Choi Hyun-jai Kim Jong-hyeok Kim Yu-jeong Omar Al-Ali Adel Al-Naqbi Asker Nadjafaliev Ilgiz Tantashev
Assistant referees
George Lakrindis James Andrew Lindsay Andrew Meimarakis Abdulla Al-Rowaimi Mohamed Salman Luo Zheng Zhou Fei Bahman Abdollahiharouni Farhad Moravveji Ameer Al-Windawi Hayder Ubaydee Ando Kohei Watanabe Kota Mohammad Al-Kalaf Ahmad Al-Roalle Ahmad Abbas Ali Jraq Saoud Al-Shemali Aleksandr Radiuš Dovydas Sužiedelis Mohamad Mu Azi Bin Zainal Abidin Mohamad Zairul Bin Khalil Tan Hamed Al-Ghafri Nasser Ambusaidi Heba Saadia Majid Al-Shammari Saoud Al-Maqaleh Taleb Al-Marri Zaid Al-Shammari Abdulrahim Al-Shammari Saad Al-Subaie Cheon Jin-hee Jang Jong-pil Park Kyun-yong Jasem Al-Ali Sabet Al-Ali Mohamed Al-Hammadi Timur Gaynullin Bakhtiyorkhuja Shavkatov Andrey Tsapenko Hà Thị Phượng
Video match officials
Shaun Evans Fu Ming Marco Di Bello Jumpei Iida Khamis Al-Marri Abdullah Al-Shehri Muhammad Taqi Kim Woo-sung Sivakorn Pu-udom Mohammed Obaid Khadim Firdavs Norsafarov
Group stage
Group A
Group B
Group C
Group D
Group E
Group F
Ranking of third-placed teams The four best third-placed teams from the six groups advanced to the knockout stage along with the six group winners and six runners-up.
Knockout stage
In the knockout stage, extra time and a penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winner if necessary. Third-placed teamsqualify from groups1Avs1Bvs1Cvs1DvsABCD 3C3D3A3BABC E 3C3A3B3EABC F3C3A3B3FAB DE 3D3A3B3EAB D F3D3A3B3FAB EF3E3A3B3FA CDE 3C3D3A3EA CD F3C3D3A3FA C EF3C3A3F3EA DEF3D3A3F3E BCDE 3C3D3B3E BCD F3C3D3B3F BC EF3E3C3B3F B DEF3E3D3B3F CDEF3C3D3F3E
Bracket
All times are local, SAST (UTC+3).
Round of 16
Quarter-finals
Semi-finals
Final
Marketing Brand The official logo was unveiled on 24 January 2026. It consists of a wordmark and a trophy symbol derived from Najdi stepped geometry, an architectural and decorative style native to Saudi Arabia. This geometric form, traditionally found in carved patterns, Al Sadu textiles, and regional ornamentation, is characterized by a stepped structure that emphasizes rhythm and balance. The logo is accompanied by decorative patterns referencing Najdi architectural motifs and traditional Saudi craftsmanship, commonly used in homes and doorways, symbolizing hospitality.
The tournament slogan, Ahlan Asia (), which translates to "Welcome Asia", was revealed on 9 May 2026 during the final draw.
Sponsorship EA Sports FC became the official licensed product for the 2027 Asian Cup, replacing Konami's eFootball which served the role for the 2023 edition.
Official Global Partners Credit Saison Neom Qatar Airways Visit Saudi
Official Global Supporters Aspetar Albaik Kelme Midea Group Saudi Aramco Visa Inc.
Official Regional Partners Alrajhi Bank (For Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with Visa) APA Hotel (For Japan) Kirin Company (For Japan)
Broadcasting rights The broadcasters around the world that acquired the rights to the tournament included: TerritoryBroadcaster(s)Ref.AustraliaParamount+ and Network 10ChinaMiguHong KongI-CABLE HOYIndiaFanCodeIndonesiaMNC MediaJapanDAZNMalaysia Astro SportsMENAbeIN SportsSouth KoreaCoupangThailandBG SportsUnited StatesParamountPuerto RicoVietnamTV360
Discipline A player or team official is automatically suspended for the next match of the tournament for the following offenses: Receiving a red card (red card suspensions may be extended for serious offenses). Receiving two yellow cards in the tournament;
The following suspensions occurred during the tournament: + Tournament suspensions for players and team officials Player Offense(s) Suspension(s) Nguyễn Đình Bắc in 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup vs (23 January 2026) Group E vs (matchday 1)Group E vs (matchday 2) Assim Madibo in 2026 FIFA World Cup vs (18 June 2026) Group F vs (matchday 1)Group F vs (matchday 2)Group F vs (matchday 3)
See also Football in Saudi Arabia
Notes
References
External links AFC Asian Cup, the-AFC.com