The AFC Asian Cup is Asia’s premier international football tournament, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The upcoming edition, the AFC Asian Cup 2027, will be hosted by Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027. Here’s a detailed look at the schedule and format of the tournament, along with the qualification process.
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
The qualification process for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 involves several rounds, with the final round featuring six groups of four teams each. The winners of each group will secure a spot in the main tournament. The final round of qualifiers is set to begin in March 2025 and will conclude by March 2026.
Groups for AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Tajikistan, Philippines, Maldives, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste |
| B | Lebanon, Yemen, Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam |
| C | India, Hong Kong China, Singapore, Bangladesh |
| D | Thailand, Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka |
| E | Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan |
| F | Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
India’s Schedule in AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers
India, placed in Group C, will face Hong Kong China, Singapore, and Bangladesh. Their schedule includes:
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March 25, 2025: India vs. Bangladesh (home)
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June 10, 2025: Hong Kong, China vs. India (away)
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October 9, 2025: India vs. Singapore (home)
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October 14, 2025: Singapore vs. India (away)
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November 18, 2025: Bangladesh vs. India (away)
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March 31, 2026: India vs. Hong Kong China (home)1.
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Finals
The main tournament will feature 24 teams, with 18 spots already confirmed, including defending champions Qatar and hosts Saudi Arabia. The remaining six spots will be determined through the qualifiers4.
Host Cities and Venues
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 will be held across three cities in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. Five stadiums have been confirmed for Riyadh, two for Jeddah, and a new stadium is planned for Al Khobar34.
Tournament Format
The tournament will follow a standard format:
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Group Stage: The 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four teams each. Each team plays the others in their group once.
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Knockout Stage: The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the knockout stage, which includes the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final.
Conclusion
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 promises to be an exciting event, with top Asian teams competing for the continental title. The qualification process is underway, and the main tournament in Saudi Arabia is expected to set new benchmarks in hosting excellence. As the countdown begins, fans are eagerly anticipating the start of this prestigious tournament.
