AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027 Round 3: Full groups & teams

The competition is set to witness 24 teams fighting for the trophy.

Following the end of the draw for the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027 round 3, the six groups consisting of four teams and their upcoming matches were revealed. With six spots up for grabs in the Finals, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia, the draw revealed the path of all the teams taking part in the qualifiers.

The qualifier is the final opportunity for some of these teams hoping to be part of the action in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

India, ranked 127th in the world, are part of Group C along with Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangladesh.

Favorites Syria, ranked 95th in the world, will be part of Group E along with Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Pakistan. While fellow contenders, Thailand, ranked 97th in the world, will be part of Group D Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Sri Lanka.

ALSO READ: AFC Asian Cup 2027 Round 3 Draw Live: Who will India face?

Next year, from March 25 to March 31, 2026, all the teams will play matches on a home and away basis, with 24 teams going head-to-head in their respective groups

2️⃣4️⃣ teams6️⃣ available spots📆 March 2025 – March 2026The final path at #ACQ2027. Who will complete the #AsianCup2027 cast? pic.twitter.com/E1DHFs5y5a

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) December 9, 2024

AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027 Round 3 draw in full

Group A: Tajikistan, Philippines, Maldives, Timor-Leste

Group B: Lebanon, Yemen, Bhutan, Brunei DS

Group C: India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh

Group D: Thailand, Turkmenistan, Chinese Tapei, Sri Lanka

Group E: Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan

Group F: Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Laos

Final opportunity for India to play in Saudi Arabia

Manolo Marquez and his men have it all to do as they find themselves drawn into a group that they should win easily on paper. Teams like Hong Kong, China, Singapore, and Bangladesh will help the Blue Pilgrims gauge the progress of the team.

The Spaniard will be keen to get his first win in the new year after a tough 2024 which saw the Blue Tigers fail to win a single match.

As Manolo Marquez continues to work towards leaving his imprint on the team, qualification to the AFC Asian Cup will be on top of his agenda. India will play its first game of the Round 3 qualifiers on March 25, 2025, against Bangladesh at home. While India has never lost to Bangladesh in 8 previous encounters, a win will be vital for a perfect start.

In other groups, Syria will play their first game of Matchday 1 against Pakistan in Group C, while Thailand will play Sri Lanka on Matchday 1 in Group D.

The top team from each of the six groups will advance to the Finals after each team plays the other both home and away during the group phase. The event, which will feature all these exciting matches spread over the next two summers, will be full of exciting footballing action.

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