Qatar drawn with Japan in Group F of 2027 AFC Asian Cup

Reigning Asian champions Qatar have been handed a tough group for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 tournament after being drawn alongside four-time champions Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia in Group F. The draw for the January 7 to February 5, 2027 competition, held in Riyadh on Saturday, has produced several intriguing groupings.

Group A features three GCC nations — Kuwait, Oman and hosts Saudi Arabia, in addition to Palestine. Group B comprises Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea and Jordan while Group C has Iran, Syria, Kyrgyzstan and China in it.

Australia heads Group D, along with Tajikistan, Iraq and Singapore. South Korea are at the strongest side in Group E, along with UAE and Vietnam. Winners of the Lebanon vs Yemen match, scheduled to be held in Doha on June 4, will determine the last team in the group.

Hosted by Saudi Arabia for the first time, the expanded 24-team tournament will once again feature Asia’s biggest football powers alongside emerging sides aiming to cause upsets.

Qatar enter the competition as back-to-back champions after lifting the title in 2019 and 2023.

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