2027 AFC Asian Cup

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup will be the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Asia organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament will involve 24 national teams after the expansion in 2019. It will be held in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February 2027.

The tournament will return to its usual four-year cycle, after the 2023 edition was postponed to 2024 due to the removal of China as hosts and high summer temperatures in Qatar.

Qatar are the two-time defending champions.

AFC confirmed the list of member associations expressed their interests to host 2027 Asian Cup before the 30 June 2020 deadline, and they gave their necessary letters of undertaking in November. On 17 October 2022, the AFC Executive Committee announced that the host of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup would be chosen by the AFC Congress at its next meeting on 1 February 2023 in Manama, Bahrain. However, India, one of the last two bidders, withdrew on 5 December leaving Saudi Arabia as the only remaining bidder. On 1 February, the AFC confirmed that Saudi Arabia won the bid and will host the tournament for the first time.

The tournament will be played across eight stadiums in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar.

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The first two rounds of qualification acted as part of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Saudi Arabia, which received automatic qualification for the Asian Cup as host, also participated in the qualifiers to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Northern Mariana Islands, whose football association became the 47th full AFC member during the confederation's 30th Congress on 9 December 2020, was only eligible to enter the qualification tournament for the Asian Cup, but was ultimately excluded.

Singapore has qualified on merit for the first time, having only previously appeared in 1984 as hosts. Iran extended their qualification record, having qualified 16 straight times for every edition since 1968. No one of the South Asian national teams qualified.

The draw was originally supposed to be held in Riyadh on 11 April 2026, but was postponed amidst concerns over the 2026 Iran war. The draw was rescheduled to take place in Riyadh on 9 May 2026 at 21:00 (UTC+3) at the At-Turaif District, Diriyah.

The four best third-placed teams from the six groups advanced to the knockout stage along with the six group winners and six runners-up.

In the knockout stage, extra time and a penalty shoot-out will be used to decide the winner if necessary.

All times are local, SAST (UTC+3).

The official logo was unveiled on 24 January 2026. It consists of a wordmark and a trophy symbol derived from Najdi stepped geometry, an architectural and decorative style native to Saudi Arabia. This geometric form, traditionally found in carved patterns, Al Sadu textiles, and regional ornamentation, is characterized by a stepped structure that emphasizes rhythm and balance. The logo is accompanied by decorative patterns referencing Najdi architectural motifs and traditional Saudi craftsmanship, commonly used in homes and doorways, symbolizing hospitality.

Official Global Partners

• Credit Saison
• Neom
• Qatar Airways
• Visit Saudi

Official Global Supporters

• Aspetar
• Kelme
• Midea Group
• Saudi Aramco
• Visa Inc.

Official Regional Partners

• Alrajhi Bank (for Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with Visa)

EA Sports FC becomes the official licensed product for the 2027 Asian Cup, replacing Konami's EFootball which served the role for the 2023 edition.

The broadcasters around the world that acquired the rights to the tournament included:

• Football in Saudi Arabia

• AFC Asian Cup, the-AFC.com