Which teams have qualified for AFC Asian Cup 2027 so far?

Saudi Arabia will play host to Asia’s premier competition

The quest to emerge as the Asian superpower will commence in the first week of 2027, featuring 24 teams from the length and breadth of the continent. Asia’s premier competition has been in action since 1956, and the footballing powerhouses from Asia will lock horns against each other.

A tournament with so much history and legacy now stands as a testament to provide a platform for young, budding talents across Asia to showcase their talent among the Asian elites.

In this feature article, we take a close look at all the nations that have qualified so far for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, which is slated to take place in Saudi Arabia. We will also take a glimpse at their recent history, their form and analyse if they can become the next Champions of Asia in 2027.

List of all nations qualified for AFC Men’s Asian Cup 2027:

1. Saudi Arabia (hosts)

Saudi Arabia is making all efforts to become a footballing powerhouse in the world. They secured direct qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in virtue of being the host nation.

They also finished as the runners-up of Group H in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers second round, below Jordan. The three-time winners last won the competition back in 1996 after defeating neighbours UAE in the Finals. They will also have the local fans cheering for them in the upcoming edition of the AFC Asian Cup.

🥳🥳🥳🇸🇦🇸🇦🇸🇦The #GreenFalcons will participate in the next World Cup!#SaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/5daKI72T9S

— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) March 24, 2022

2. Qatar (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group A winners)

The defending champions of the AFC Asian Cup have the golden opportunity to become the second team in history to become the champions for three consecutive editions and complete a hat-trick. They were placed alongside Kuwait, India and Afghanistan in Group A.

They topped Group A after winning five of their six games, which also included a controversial win over India in their final group stage fixtures of the second round. Regardless, the nation that also recently hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022 would be keen to retain the Asian honours.

Welcome to Qatar, Julen Lopetegui 🇶🇦The ex-Premier League coach joins The Maroons ahead of the final #AsianQualifiers matchdays ✨ pic.twitter.com/dmnjMQc5PY

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) May 1, 2025

3. Japan (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group B winners)

The highest-ranked team in Asian football presently, Japan, emerged as the table toppers of Group B after winning all six of their games. They edged past teams like North Korea, Syria and Myanmar to secure a coveted spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2027.

They have also been the most successful side in this competition after winning the championship four times, the most recent one was back in 2011 after defeating Australia in the finals.

⏰3️⃣0️⃣MINSHunger and passion drives Japan’s dominance!#AsianQualifiers | #JPNvIDN pic.twitter.com/JNM2K4xFhc

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) June 10, 2025

4. South Korea (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group C winners)

The third-highest-ranked team on the continent, which had to settle for a semi-final finish last time, would be keen to make an impact in the upcoming edition. They were drawn alongside China, Thailand and Singapore in Group C.

They won five games and secured a solitary draw to remain unbeaten throughout the qualifier round and emerge as the Group C winners. The South Koreans have previously won the competition way back in 1960, and it has been over six decades since they last won the Asian honours.

✨ 𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐈-𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 ✨❗Never. Say. Never. They just keep on doing it! 🇰🇷 Korea Republic are heading into the semi-finals. #AsianCup2023 | #HayyaAsia pic.twitter.com/HYkE3BBBMV

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) February 2, 2024

5. Oman (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group D winners)

Oman is one of the lowest-ranked teams in the competition to enter as the group winners. They were drawn alongside relatively easier opponents like Malaysia, Kyrgyzstan and Chinese Taipei and with 13 points under their belt, they emerged as the Group Winners.

Their best performance has been qualifying for the knockout rounds only once, back in 2019. Apart from that, they still have a lot of new feats to achieve and make a mark for themselves among the Asian giants.

6. Iran (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group E winners)

Iran got some serious competition from Uzbekistan to finish as the Group E winners. Despite being level on points with second-placed Uzbekistan, they emerged as the table toppers after having a superior goal difference to the Uzbeks.

They are the second highest ranked team in Asia and are the only team to win this competition three times in a row in 1968, 1972 and 1976 as well.

Also Read: Which teams have qualified for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026?

7. Iraq (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group F winners)

One of the very few teams to win all six games in their qualifier round, Iraq were placed alongside Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines in Group C. They decimated every single team, scored 17 goals, conceded just 2 and qualified for the AFC Asian Cup.

They have previously won the tournament in 2007 after defeating Saudi Arabia in the finals in Jakarta. Since then, they have seen a dip in form, but still have immense potential to cause a lot of big upsets.

8. Jordan (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group G winners)

Despite being placed alongside the hosts in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the reigning runners-up exhibited no signs of fear or dismay. They not only had an excellent campaign but also managed to top their group after a slightly better goal difference than the hosts.

They had a dream run to the AFC Asian Cup 2023 Finals, but the then-hosts had the last laugh in the finals. The Jordan players will be determined to turn their silver medal into gold this time around.

9. UAE (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group H winners)

The United Arab Emirates side remained unbeaten throughout the qualifier campaign and emerged as the table toppers of Group H. They defeated every single team, including Bahrain, Yemen and Nepal, to score 16 goals in just 6 games.

They have won every single medal except the gold. Their best performance came back in 1996 after they reached the finals in their home ground, but were defeated by Saudi Arabia in Abu Dhabi.

10. Australia (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group I winners)

Unarguably, the team with the most dominating campaign in the World Cup Qualifiers, Australia, not only won every single game but also did not concede a single goal in their qualifiers. They scored 22 goals and got the better of Palestine, Lebanon and Bangladesh too.

They won the tournament back in 2015 after defeating South Korea in the finals in Iran. They have one of the lethal sides in this competition and can be one of the serious contenders to win it.

11. Kuwait (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group A runners-up)

Kuwait were almost going into the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers 2027 until the 70th minute in their final game against Afghanistan. However, in a shocking turn of events, India lost their lead and conceded a controversial goal against Qatar.

Meanwhile, Al Rashidi scored in the 81st minute to seal Kuwait’s place in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 after they finished as the runners-up of Group A.

12. North Korea (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group B runners-up)

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had a mixed campaign in the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers. They secured three wins and lost three games to finish second in the points table with nine points under their belt.

Their best performance came way back in 1980 when they last found themselves in the top four. North Korea also managed to score 11 goals in their Qualifier campaigns. They were drawn in a competitive group alongside Japan, Syria and Myanmar.

13. China (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group C runners-up)

Despite being level on points with third-placed Thailand, China were lucky enough to penetrate into the group stages of the AFC Asian Cup 2027. They were level on points as well as goal difference, but head-to-head pushed China ahead.

Their best performance came way back in 1984 and 2004 after they made it to the finals, but were defeated by Saudi Arabia and China, respectively.

14. Kyrgyzstan (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group D runners-up)

Another lucky side to make it to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 is Kyrgyzstan. Despite Malaysia having a better head-to-head record against them, they finished second after being just a point ahead of them in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

They have also never made it to the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals and would be looking forward to preparing strongly to emerge as the dark horses.

15. Uzbekistan (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group E runners-up)

Uzbekistan’s best performance in the AFC Asian Cup was back in 2011, when they reached the semi-finals. However, their dreams turned into nightmares after Australia thrashed them 6-0 in the semi-finals to end their trophy ambitions.

They remained unbeaten throughout the Qualifier stage and also fought neck to neck with Iran for the top spot, but failed shortly due to an inferior goal difference.

16. Indonesia (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group F runners-up)

After being placed alongside Iraq, Vietnam and the Philippines, Indonesia found a way to secure that second spot. They did so in fashion despite getting thrashed by Iraq 5-1. Their big wins against the other teams were enough to make up for the goal difference.

They won three games, drew one and lost both against Iraq to finish with 10 points and secure a coveted spot in the AFC Asian Cup.

17. Bahrain (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group H runners-up)

After a poor display of football by Nepal and Yemen, things became pretty easy for Bahrain. They won three games, drew two and lost a solitary game against the UAE to finish at 11 points and secure that coveted spot in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 group stages.

They reached the semi-finals in the 2004 edition, but suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Japan, despite taking an early lead.

18. Palestine (FIFA WC Qualifiers Second round – Group I runners-up)

Despite ongoing geopolitical tension, the Palestine football team made it to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 after finishing as the runners-up of Group I. They won two games, drew two and lost two games to finish with 8 points under their belt.

Their best performance came back in the last edition when they qualified for the Round of 16, but were eventually defeated by Qatar.

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