UAE national team drawn in Group E for 2027 AFC Asian Cup

May 10, 2026 / 12:26 AM

Sharjah 24: The draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup placed our national team in Group E alongside South Korea, Vietnam, and the winner of the play-off between Lebanon and Yemen, to be decided in June.

Tournament groups announced

The tournament, set to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027, features several competitive groups. Group A includes Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Palestine, while Group B features Uzbekistan, Bahrain, North Korea, and Jordan. Group C consists of Iran, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, and China, and Group D includes Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, and Singapore. Group F brings together Japan, Qatar, Thailand, and Indonesia.

Knockout stage format

The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16, scheduled from January 22 to 25. The quarter-finals will be played on January 28 and 29, followed by the semi-finals on February 1 and 2.

Final in Riyadh

The final will take place on February 5 at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, which will also host the opening match between Saudi Arabia and Palestine. The stadium has a capacity of 72,000 spectators and will crown the champions of the 19th edition of the tournament.