Saudi to face Palestine in opener as UAE drawn with South Korea at Asian Cup

Fans can expect a spectacular AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 with Saturday’s glittering draw producing a thrilling group stage.

The draw for the 2027 edition of the continent’s showpiece event, which runs from January 7 to February 5, took place on Saturday in Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh.

The UAE were drawn in Group E alongside South Korea, Vietnam, and either Lebanon or Yemen.

UAE coach Cosmin Olaroiu said: “The tournament brings together the best teams in Asia so it’s hard to say which group is easy or difficult. Every group will be difficult as teams will come prepared. It’s a challenge that will take a lot of sacrifices and work.

“The team has to manage the emotion and mental strength to achieve our dream which starts today. In this kind of competition, you have to surpass yourself to go far in the tournament. South Korea have the history, Vietnam always create surprises, then we’ll see who will be the last team.”

Saudi Arabia, seeking to lift the coveted trophy for the fourth time, will face 1980 winners Kuwait, Oman and Palestine in Group A.

The hosts will kick off the tournament with an enticing encounter against Palestine at the 72,000-seater King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh. It will be the Green Falcons’ second time contesting an opening match in the AFC Asian Cup after the 1992 edition, where they drew 1-1 with China.

They will face Palestine for the first time in the competition; it will be the latter’s first involvement in a tournament opener and only their 11th match ever.

Record winners Japan were drawn in the same group as champions Qatar for next year’s AFC Asian Cup.

Saudi Arabia are staging the Asian Cup for the first time as the country views the tournament as a precursor to hosting the 2034 World Cup.

“We have the advantage of playing at home,” Saudi head coach Giorgos Donis.

“We have the stress but we will manage it with our experience,” the Greek added.

For the third time running, the Asian Cup will feature 24 national teams, with 23 already confirmed.

The sole remaining spot will go to either Lebanon or Yemen, who contest a play-off in Doha on June 4. A tie would be enough for Lebanon to qualify.

At the draw, Japan were placed in Group F alongside Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia.

Japan have lifted the trophy a record four times, although they have not won the tournament since 2011.

Saudi Arabia and Iran each have three wins, with Qatar crowned champions for the past two tournaments, in 2019 and 2023.

Last time out, the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts defeated Jordan 3-1 in the final.

Both countries have qualified for this summer’s global finals, with Jordan competing for the first time.

On Saturday, teams were divided into four pots of six in accordance with the latest FIFA ranking as of April 1. At 18th in the official standings, Japan are the lead country in Asia, with Iran second (No. 21), South Korea third (No. 25) and Australia fourth (No. 27).

Allocated first position in pot 1, Saudi Arabia are looking to add to the three titles they won in 1984, 1988 and 1996.

Eight stadiums across three cities will serve as the battlegrounds for the 51 matches of the Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027: five in Riyadh.