The road to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 reaches a critical juncture as 24 teams prepare for the Final Round of Qualifiers, kicking off on March 25.
With only group winners advancing to claim the six remaining berths, the competition promises intensity and drama as teams vie for a place in the prestigious tournament.
A High-Stakes Contest
The final round features a diverse mix of teams, including three best-ranked losing sides from Round 1, three playoff winners, and 18 teams that finished third and fourth in Round 2. Among them, nine nations—Afghanistan, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Laos, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste—aspire to make their debut at the Asian Cup, while eight teams aim to build on their recent participation in the 2023 edition.
Opening Fixtures
The action begins with Group D and Group E encounters:
Chinese Taipei (165) vs. Turkmenistan (143) – The Blue Wings, chasing their first Asian Cup appearance since 1968, host the Karakum Warriors, who hold a perfect head-to-head record.
Thailand (97) vs. Sri Lanka (200) – The War Elephants, narrowly missing direct qualification, look to regroup and secure their third consecutive berth.
Myanmar (169) vs. Afghanistan (156) – A clash between two teams contesting their ninth qualifiers, with Myanmar aiming to relive their 1968 runner-up finish.
Syria (95) vs. Pakistan (198) – The Qasioun Eagles, who reached the Knockout Stage in 2023, face a Pakistan side making its deepest run yet in qualification.
Key Matches in Other Groups
Group A features a notable tie between Tajikistan (104) and Timor-Leste (197), with Tajikistan aiming for a swift return to the tournament after their historic quarter-final run in 2023. Meanwhile, the Philippines (150) take on Maldives (162) as both nations seek a return to the big stage.
In Group F, Vietnam (114) will look to extend their dominance over Laos (186), having won 13 consecutive meetings. Similarly, Malaysia (132) takes on Nepal (175), boasting an unbeaten record in past encounters.
Underdogs and Historic Aspirations
Several teams enter this phase with an eye on history:
Bhutan (182) vs. Yemen (158) – Bhutan hosts Yemen, who seek to build on their sole Asian Cup appearance in 2019.
Lebanon (112) vs. Brunei Darussalam (184) – The Cedars aim for a fourth tournament appearance.
Singapore (160) vs. Hong Kong, China (155) – A crucial clash for both sides in Group C, with Hong Kong unbeaten against Singapore in their last six meetings.
India (126) vs. Bangladesh (185) – The Blue Tigers look to continue their dominance at home against their South Asian rivals.
The Path Ahead
With the qualifiers running until March 31, 2026, every match will carry immense weight in determining the final six entrants to the AFC Asian Cup 2027. As teams embark on this grueling journey, the stakes have never been higher, ensuring a thrilling battle for continental football glory.
Eleven groups drawn as 44 teams begin the road to Saudi Arabia 2026. Qualifiers kick off this September across Asia.