2027 AFC Asian Cup

19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.[1][2]

Host countrySaudi Arabia
Dates7 January – 5 February
Teams24 (from 1 confederation)
Venues8 (in 3 host cities)
Quick facts AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, Tournament details ...
2027 AFC Asian Cup
AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027
كأس آسيا المملكة العربية السعودية 2027
Tournament details
Host countrySaudi Arabia
Dates7 January – 5 February
Teams24 (from 1 confederation)
Venues8 (in 3 host cities)
← 2023
2031 →
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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.

Qatar are the two-time defending champions, having won their first two titles in 2019 and 2023.

Host selection

Main article: 2027 AFC Asian Cup bids

AFC confirmed the list of member associations expressed their interests to host 2027 Asian Cup before the 30 June 2020 deadline,[3] and they gave their necessary letters of undertaking in November.[4] 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.[5][6] However, India, one of the last two bidders, withdrew on 5 December,[7] 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.[1]

Venues

About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
500km
311miles
Khobar
Khobar
Jeddah
Jeddah
Riyadh
Riyadh
Location of the host cities of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

The tournament will be played across eight stadiums in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar.[8][9][10]

More information City, Stadium ...
City Stadium Capacity Image
Riyadh King Fahd Sports City Stadium 72,000
(after renovation)
King Saud University Stadium 26,000
Kingdom Arena 26,000
Imam Mohammed University Stadium [ar] 25,000
(after renovation)
Al-Shabab Stadium 13,000
Jeddah King Abdullah Sports City Stadium 60,000
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium 26,000
Khobar Aramco Stadium 45,000
(new)
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Teams

Main article: 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification
Qualification status
  Teams qualified
  Teams failed to qualify
  Withdrew or excluded
  Not an AFC member

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.[11]

The Northern Mariana Islands, whose football association became the 47th full AFC member during the confederation's 30th Congress on 9 December 2020,[12] was only eligible to enter the qualification tournament for the Asian Cup, but was ultimately excluded.[13]

Qualified teams

Singapore qualified on merit for the first time, having only previously appeared in 1984 as hosts.[14][15] 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.

More information Team, Method of qualification ...
Team Method of
qualification		 Date of
qualification		 Appearances Previous best
performance
Total First Last
 Saudi ArabiaHosts1 February 2023
12th
1984
2023
Winners (1984, 1988, 1996)
 AustraliaSecond round Group I winners26 March 2024
6th
2007
2023
Winners (2015)
 IraqSecond round Group F winners26 March 2024
11th
1972
2023
Winners (2007)
 IranSecond round Group E winners26 March 2024
16th
1968
2023
Winners (1968, 1972, 1976)
 UzbekistanSecond round Group E runners-up26 March 2024
9th
1996
2023
Fourth place (2011)
 QatarSecond round Group A winners26 March 2024
12th
1980
2023
Winners (2019, 2023)
 United Arab EmiratesSecond round Group H winners26 March 2024
12th
1980
2023
Runners-up (1996)
 JapanSecond round Group B winners2 April 2024
11th
1988
2023
Winners (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
 South KoreaSecond round Group C winners6 June 2024
16th
1956
2023
Winners (1956, 1960)
 OmanSecond round Group D winners6 June 2024
6th
2004
2023
Round of 16 (2019)
 PalestineSecond round Group I runners-up6 June 2024
4th
2015
2023
Round of 16 (2023)
 BahrainSecond round Group H runners-up6 June 2024
8th
1988
2023
Fourth place (2004)
 JordanSecond round Group G winners6 June 2024
6th
2004
2023
Runners-up (2023)
 ChinaSecond round Group C runners-up11 June 2024
14th
1976
2023
Runners-up (1984, 2004)
 IndonesiaSecond round Group F runners-up11 June 2024
6th
1996
2023
Round of 16 (2023)
 North KoreaSecond round Group B runners-up11 June 2024
6th
1980
2019
Fourth place (1980)
 KuwaitSecond round Group A runners-up11 June 2024
11th
1972
2015
Winners (1980)
 KyrgyzstanSecond round Group D runners-up11 June 2024
3rd
2019
2023
Round of 16 (2019)
 SyriaThird round Group E winners14 October 2025
8th
1980
2023
Round of 16 (2023)
 SingaporeThird round Group C winners18 November 2025
2nd
1984
Group stage (1984)
 VietnamThird round Group F winners17 March 2026[A]
6th
1956
2023
Fourth place (1956, 1960)[B]
 ThailandThird round Group D winners31 March 2026
9th
1972
2023
Third place (1972)
 TajikistanThird round Group A winners31 March 2026
2nd
2023
Quarter-finals (2023)
 YemenThird round Group B winners4 June 2026
3rd
1976
2019
Group stage (1976,[C] 2019)
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Draw

The draw was originally supposed to be held on 11 April 2026,[18] but was postponed until 9 May 2026 (at the At-Turaif District in Diriyah) amidst concerns over the 2026 Iran war.[19]

More information Pot 1, Pot 2 ...
From the April 2026 FIFA World Rankings[20]
Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
 Saudi Arabia (61) (hosts)
 Japan (18)
 Iran (21)
 South Korea (25)
 Australia (27)
 Uzbekistan (50)		  Qatar (55)
 Iraq (57)
 Jordan (63)
 United Arab Emirates (68)
 Oman (79)
 Syria (84)		  Bahrain (91)
 Thailand (93)
 China (94)
 Palestine (95)
 Vietnam (99)
 Tajikistan (103)
  Kyrgyzstan (107)
 North Korea (118)
 Indonesia (122)
 Kuwait (134)
 Singapore (147)
 Yemen (149)
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Draw result

The groups were confirmed following the draw:

More information Pos, Team ...
Group A
PosTeam
A1 Saudi Arabia
A2 Kuwait
A3 Oman
A4 Palestine
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More information Pos, Team ...
Group B
PosTeam
B1 Uzbekistan
B2 Bahrain
B3 North Korea
B4 Jordan
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More information Pos, Team ...
Group C
PosTeam
C1 Iran
C2 Syria
C3 Kyrgyzstan
C4 China
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More information Pos, Team ...
Group D
PosTeam
D1 Australia
D2 Tajikistan
D3 Iraq
D4 Singapore
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More information Pos, Team ...
Group E
PosTeam
E1 South Korea
E2 United Arab Emirates
E3 Vietnam
E4 Yemen
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More information Pos, Team ...
Group F
PosTeam
F1 Japan
F2 Qatar
F3 Thailand
F4 Indonesia
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Group stage

All times are local, SAST (UTC+3).

Group A

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Saudi Arabia (H) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2  Kuwait 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Oman 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4  Palestine 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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First match(es) will be played: 7 January 2027. Source: AFC
(H) Hosts
More information Saudi Arabia, Match 1 ...
Saudi Arabia Match 1 Palestine
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More information Oman, Match 2 ...
Oman Match 2 Kuwait
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More information Oman, Match 13 ...
Oman Match 13 Saudi Arabia
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More information Palestine, Match 15 ...
Palestine Match 15 Kuwait
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More information Oman, Match 25 ...
Oman Match 25 Palestine
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More information Saudi Arabia, Match 27 ...
Saudi Arabia Match 27 Kuwait
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Group B

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Uzbekistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2  Bahrain 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  North Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4  Jordan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
More information Bahrain, Match 3 ...
Bahrain Match 3 North Korea
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More information Uzbekistan, Match 4 ...
Uzbekistan Match 4 Jordan
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More information North Korea, Match 14 ...
North Korea Match 14 Uzbekistan
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More information Jordan, Match 17 ...
Jordan Match 17 Bahrain
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More information North Korea, Match 26 ...
North Korea Match 26 Jordan
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More information Uzbekistan, Match 28 ...
Uzbekistan Match 28 Bahrain
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Group C

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Iran 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2  Syria 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Kyrgyzstan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4  China 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
More information Syria, Match 5 ...
Syria Match 5 Kyrgyzstan
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More information Iran, Match 6 ...
Iran Match 6 China
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More information Kyrgyzstan, Match 16 ...
Kyrgyzstan Match 16 Iran
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More information China, Match 20 ...
China Match 20 Syria
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More information Iran, Match 29 ...
Iran Match 29 Syria
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More information Kyrgyzstan, Match 30 ...
Kyrgyzstan Match 30 China
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Group D

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Australia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2  Tajikistan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Iraq 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4  Singapore 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Close
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
More information Australia, Match 7 ...
Australia Match 7 Singapore
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More information Tajikistan, Match 8 ...
Tajikistan Match 8 Iraq
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More information Iraq, Match 18 ...
Iraq Match 18 Australia
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More information Singapore, Match 19 ...
Singapore Match 19 Tajikistan
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More information Australia, Match 31 ...
Australia Match 31 Tajikistan
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More information Iraq, Match 32 ...
Iraq Match 32 Singapore
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Group E

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  South Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2  United Arab Emirates 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Vietnam 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4  Yemen 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Close
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
More information South Korea, Match 9 ...
South Korea Match 9 Yemen
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More information United Arab Emirates, Match 10 ...
United Arab Emirates Match 10 Vietnam
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More information Yemen, Match 21 ...
Yemen Match 21 United Arab Emirates
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More information Vietnam, Match 22 ...
Vietnam Match 22 South Korea
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More information South Korea, Match 33 ...
South Korea Match 33 United Arab Emirates
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More information Vietnam, Match 36 ...
Vietnam Match 36 Yemen
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Group F

More information Pos, Pld ...
Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2  Qatar 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3  Thailand 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Possible knockout stage based on ranking
4  Indonesia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Close
First match(es) will be played: January 2027. Source: AFC
More information Qatar, Match 11 ...
Qatar Match 11 Thailand
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More information Japan, Match 12 ...
Japan Match 12 Indonesia
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More information Thailand, Match 23 ...
Thailand Match 23 Japan
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More information Indonesia, Match 24 ...
Indonesia Match 24 Qatar
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More information Japan, Match 34 ...
Japan Match 34 Qatar
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More information Thailand, Match 35 ...
Thailand Match 35 Indonesia
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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.

More information Pos, Grp ...
Pos Grp Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 A  Oman 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Advance to knockout stage
2 B  North Korea 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 C  Kyrgyzstan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 D  Iraq 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 E  Vietnam 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 F  Thailand 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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First match(es) will be played: 15 January 2027. Source: AFC

Knockout stage

In the knockout stage, extra time and a penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winner if necessary.

More information Third-placed teams qualify from groups, 1A vs ...
Third-placed teams
qualify from groups		 1A
vs		 1B
vs		 1C
vs		 1D
vs
ABCD3C3D3A3B
ABCE3C3A3B3E
ABCF3C3A3B3F
ABDE3D3A3B3E
ABDF3D3A3B3F
ABEF3E3A3B3F
ACDE3C3D3A3E
ACDF3C3D3A3F
ACEF3C3A3F3E
ADEF3D3A3F3E
BCDE3C3D3B3E
BCDF3C3D3B3F
BCEF3E3C3B3F
BDEF3E3D3B3F
CDEF3C3D3F3E
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Bracket

 
Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
              
 
 22 January – Riyadh (Kingdom)
 
 
Runner-up Group A
 
 28 January – Riyadh (Kingdom)
 
Runner-up Group C
 
Winner Match 37
 
 23 January – Riyadh (Imam Mohammed)
 
Winner Match 39
 
Winner Group D
 
 1 February – Khobar
 
Third Group B/E/F
 
Winner Match 45
 
 22 January – Riyadh (Al Shabab)
 
Winner Match 46
 
Winner Group B
 
 28 January – Jeddah (King Abdullah)
 
Third Group A/C/D
 
Winner Match 38
 
 24 January – Riyadh (King Fahd)
 
Winner Match 41
 
Winner Group F
 
 5 February – Riyadh (King Fahd)
 
Runner-up Group E
 
Winner Match 49
 
 25 January – Jeddah (King Abdullah)
 
Winner Match 50
 
Winner Group C
 
 29 January – Riyadh (King Fahd)
 
Third Group A/B/F
 
Winner Match 44
 
 25 January – Riyadh (King Saud)
 
Winner Match 43
 
Winner Group E
 
 2 February – Jeddah (King Abdullah)
 
Runner-up Group D
 
Winner Match 47
 
 23 January – Khobar
 
Winner Match 48
 
Winner Group A
 
 29 January – Khobar
 
Third Group C/D/E
 
Winner Match 40
 
 24 January – Jeddah (Prince Abdullah)
 
Winner Match 42
 
Runner-up Group B
 
 
Runner-up Group F
 

All times are local, SAST (UTC+3).

Round of 16

More information Runner-up Group A, Match 37 ...
Runner-up Group AMatch 37Runner-up Group C
Close
More information Winner Group B, Match 38 ...
Winner Group BMatch 38Third Group A/C/D
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More information Winner Group D, Match 39 ...
Winner Group DMatch 39Third Group B/E/F
Close
More information Winner Group A, Match 40 ...
Winner Group AMatch 40Third Group C/D/E
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More information Winner Group F, Match 41 ...
Winner Group FMatch 41Runner-up Group E
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More information Runner-up Group B, Match 42 ...
Runner-up Group BMatch 42Runner-up Group F
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More information Winner Group E, Match 43 ...
Winner Group EMatch 43Runner-up Group D
Close
More information Winner Group C, Match 44 ...
Winner Group CMatch 44Third Group A/B/F
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Quarter-finals

More information Winner Match 37, Match 45 ...
Winner Match 37Match 45Winner Match 39
Close
More information Winner Match 38, Match 46 ...
Winner Match 38Match 46Winner Match 41
Close
More information Winner Match 44, Match 47 ...
Winner Match 44Match 47Winner Match 43
Close
More information Winner Match 40, Match 48 ...
Winner Match 40Match 48Winner Match 42
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Semi-finals

More information Winner Match 45, Match 49 ...
Winner Match 45Match 49Winner Match 46
Close
More information Winner Match 47, Match 50 ...
Winner Match 47Match 50Winner Match 48
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Final

More information Winner Match 49, Match 51 ...
Winner Match 49Match 51Winner Match 50
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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.[21]

The tournament slogan, Ahlan Asia (Arabic: أهلاً آسيا), which translates to "Welcome Asia", was revealed on 9 May 2026 during the final draw.[22]

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

Official Global Supporters

Official Regional Partners

Broadcasting rights

The broadcasters around the world that acquired the rights to the tournament included:

More information Territory, Broadcaster(s) ...
Territory Broadcaster(s) Ref.
Australia Paramount+ and Network 10 [31]
Brunei Astro [32]
Malaysia
India FanCode [33]
Indonesia MNC Media [34]
Japan DAZN [35]
MENA beIN Sports [36][37]
South Korea Coupang [38]
Thailand BG Sports [39]
Vietnam TV360 [40]
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See also

Notes

  1. [A]
    On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents. These players played in two qualification matches against Nepal and Vietnam.[16] On 5 March 2026, CAS upheld the sanctions, and the AFC overturned Malaysia's wins against Nepal (on 25 March 2025) and Vietnam (on 10 June 2025) to 0–3 defeats on 17 March 2026.[17] The decision effectively qualified Vietnam and eliminated Malaysia, and this date represents the day that the decision was announced.
  2. [B]
    both as South Vietnam
  3. [C]
    as South Yemen

References

External links

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