Asian Cup 2027 Draw Puts Saudi Arabia and Qatar in Focus

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published May 10, 2026

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The draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Riyadh placed host nation Saudi Arabia in an all-Arab Group A, while defending champion Qatar was drawn with Japan in one of the tournament’s most anticipated early matchups.

Saudi Arabia will face Kuwait, Oman and Palestine in Group A, giving the host nation a regional and highly charged opening path as it seeks its first Asian Cup title since 1996.

Qatar, winner of the 2019 and 2023 editions, will begin its title defence in Group F alongside Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. The meeting with Japan revives memories of the 2019 final, when Qatar defeated the four-time Asian champion before retaining the title in 2023.

Several Arab teams were spread across the draw. Jordan will play in Group B with Uzbekistan, Bahrain and North Korea, while Iraq joins Australia, Tajikistan and Singapore in Group D. The United Arab Emirates was placed in Group E with South Korea, Vietnam and the winner of Lebanon versus Yemen, while Syria faces Iran, Kyrgyzstan and China in Group C.

The tournament will be hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time and will run from January 7 to February 5, 2027, with 24 teams taking part. The draw had originally been scheduled for April 11 but was postponed because of regional tensions in the Middle East.