The Asian Cup is arguably one of the most passionate continental football tournaments the world has to offer.
Itโs not just about gathering the top players from the biggest continent in the world, itโs also about a mixture of styles and tactics, with storylines and politics bubbling up underneath.
The 2023 Asian Cup will kick off in Qatar this week after a long-running saga that included a change in hosts - from China - and a delay to the tournament.
Before it finally gets underway, here is all you need to know for the 2023 Asian Cup.
Group A
Qatar, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon
Qatar, the reigning Asian champions, are ready to host the tournament on home soil. Ahead of the group stage, they wanted to ensure they were ready after suffering disappointment at the last World Cup. But that wasnโt so easy, and there were issues when Carlos Queiroz resigned, meaning Tintin Marquez needed to be on hand to take his place. China might be a clear favourite for second place, but they are not the rising power they were a few years ago. Tajikistan, competing in their debut Asian Cup, and Lebanon, in their third-ever tournament, will try to battle their way to second position.
Game to watch: Qatar v Lebanon
The opening match hints at the diverse political connections between the two sides, regarding the ongoing war in the region. In addition, with around 200,000 Lebanese living in Qatar, a good atmosphere is likely.
Key player: Almoez Ali (Qatar)
Ali had a tremendous tournament in 2019, scoring nine goals. The prolific scorer now aims to become the all-time Asian Cup top scorer, as he currently sits just five goals away from Ali Daeiโs record.
A friend from abroad: Omar Bugiel (Lebanon)
Born in Berlin but representing his fatherโs nation. In the last few years he has played in England, and this year joined AFC Wimbledon.
Group B
Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India
Australia are always a contender to win the title. They kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifiers with two wins, and now they want to maintain that great performance. Graham Arnold is still leading the team following their 2022 World Cup success, which heโll be hoping to replicate. Uzbekistan and Syria are two well-known dark horses in this year's competition, as both can boast having experienced international managers - Sreฤko Katanec for Uzbekistan and Hรฉctor Cรบper for Syria. India, meanwhile, are a team that can be crucial in the race for the next stage, as anyone could struggle against them.
Game to watch: Uzbekistan v Syria
For either side, winning this match could push them one step closer to the round of 16.
Key player: Mathew Ryan (Australia)
The experienced goalkeeper will keep leading the Socceroos from the back.
Friends from abroad: Ibrahim Hesar, Ezequiel Ham and Jalil Elรญas (Syria)
Hector Cuper scouted his homeland, Argentina, for three players to add to his Syria squad.
Can he lead Syria to a knockout spot in Qatar? Omar Khribin (Photo: Syrian National Team)
Group C
Iran, UAE, Palestine, Hong Kong
Iran and the UAE, two Middle Eastern powerhouses, will be trying to aim for the title. Itโs been a while since Iranโs last title in 1976, while the UAE has never won, reaching the final only once, in 1996.
Palestine will have massive support in Qatar. After the large number of Palestinian flags, and support for the area at the 2022 World Cup, the ongoing Israel-Hamas war is likely to make them the fansโ favourites in Doha. Hong Kong had some impressive results in the warm-up matches, including a win against China, and they will be looking to challenge any opponent in their first appearance at the competition since 1968.
Game to watch: Iran v UAE
This could have been a potential knockout match in the later stages of the tournament. A game that is about more than just a football rivalry - the turbulent Middle Eastern affairs wonโt go unnoticed in this one.
Key player: Sardar Azmoun (Iran)
After a saga with Italian giants Roma about his release from the team, the prolific Iranian scorer will join Team Melli and hope to bring some of his European quality to the Asian Cup.
A friend from abroad: Ataa Jaber (Palestine)
When Jaber decided to represent Palestine last September, he couldnโt have imagined what would happen next. Jaber was born in Israel, and has played for Maccabi Haifa and the Israel U-21 national team, which he captained - the first Arab player to do so. Recently he found himself in the eye of a political storm among Israeli and Palestinian fans, as an Israeli-born-and-raised player representing Palestine.
With the war back home still taking place, Palestine are likely to be the second home team this year in Qatar. Ex-captain Abdelatif Al Bahadari during the 2019 edition, in the UAE. (Photo courtesy: The Asian Football Confederation)
Group D
Japan, Iraq, Vietnam, Indonesia
Japan, the all-time leading Asian team, are now 13 years away from their last continental title. In 2011 they did it in Qatar, completing a sequence of four titles from six tournaments. But things have gone downhill for the giants and, last time out in 2019, they were thrashed 3-1 by Qatar in the final. Iraq, another team that has a proud history in continental tournaments, will try to continue performing well. A year ago, they had a great warm-up with a Gulf Cup title on home soil. Vietnam and Indonesia are two rising sides from the ASEAN region. Vietnam has been there for a while, succeeding in youth tournaments and the knockout stages of the 2019 Asian Cup, while Indonesia are returning after a 17 year absence, with an array of new Dutch-born players.
Game to watch: Vietnam v Indonesia
It will be a match for third place in the group, but it will be much more than that. Any clash between two south-east Asian sides has the potential for great vibes.
Key player: Takumi Minamino (Japan)
With Kaoru Mitoma currently injured, the leading Blue Samurai will now be one of the greatest Japanese scorers in recent years.
A friend from abroad: Sandy Walsh (Indonesia)
Indonesia will play in this Asian Cup mostly thanks to their great scouting of players of Indonesian descent from the Netherlands. Walsh won the U-17 Euros with the Netherlands in 2012, before recently switching allegiances.
Japan are eyeing their fifth AFC Asian Cup. (Photo: JFA.jp)
Group E
South Korea, Jordan, Bahrain, Malaysia
South Korea has always been a favourite to win the Asian title, but they havenโt done so since 1960.
With leading players in top European leagues, and experienced coach Jรผrgen Klinsmann on the sidelines, they will be looking to end this drought. Jordan and Bahrain will look to take their chance and reach the knockout stages, since both have a long tradition of upsets in the Asian Cup. Malaysia are returning to the tournament for the first time since they co-hosted it in 2007, and itโs the first time they have made it to the finals through the qualifiers since 1980.
Game to watch: Jordan v Bahrain
Middle Eastern vibes in the last matchday, and it could be a decisive game in the race for a place in the round of 16.
Key player: Son Heung-min (South Korea)
There is no doubt that one of the best players in the Premier League is probably one of the best players at the Asian Cup. If he wants to be crowned as one of the most legendary Korean and Asian players in history, a title with South Korea is a must.
A friend from abroad: La'Vere Corbin-Ong (Malaysia)
For years, Malaysia has tried to naturalise foreign players who played in their country, but now they have found their own Malaysians abroad. Corbin-Ong even made a single cap for Canada before switching to Malaysia, his motherโs country of origin.
Itโs all on him to bring South Korea to continental glory. Son Heung-min
Group F
Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Oman, Kyrgyzstan
When Saudi Arabia come to play in Qatar itโs always fascinating, not only due to past tensions between the two countries, but also as an attempt to mark an official โhandoverโ from those who have led the Middle East in football for the last few years, to those who want to lead it in the future. The Saudis got massive support at the 2022 World Cup, so their matches will have a great atmosphere. Thailand has never been a stable team - they could become the tournament's dark horses, but they could also suffer an early exit. With their relatively anonymous roster of players from the domestic league, Oman will be dreaming about a place in the next stage. Kyrgyzstan will bring their central Asian pride, and maybe will find another place in round 16, just like in 2019.
Game to watch: Any match that involves Saudi Arabia
As they are the clear favourites to win the group, we will have enough time in the group stage to enjoy both their quality and their fansโ atmosphere. Roberto Manciniโs maiden mission with the Green Falcons will be interesting to follow, after several surprising choices in the final squad.
Key player: Salem Al-Dawsari (Saudi Arabia)
With his famous winning goal against Argentina in the World Cup, he is the player that will be the leading name for the Saudis at the Asian Cup too.
Friends from abroad: Kai and Kimi Merk (Kyrgyzstan)
The Kyrgyz team is always looking for players in Germany, and this time they found two brothers. The older brother, Kai, was playing for lower division teams in Germany before joining his current club, Union Titus Petange from Luxembourg. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Kimi has recently left Germany and joined Pakhtakor.
