AFC Asian Cup is the premier international football tournament for Asian national teams, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). With dramatic matches and the presence of stars such as Son Heung-min or Ali Daei, the AFC Asian Cup is not only a sports playground but also a symbol of pride and Asian football culture uu88.
History and significance of AFC Asian Cup
To understand the value of the AFC Asian Cup, exploring the tournament’s origins and role in promoting Asian football is an important first step.The AFC Asian Cup was initiated in 1956 in Hong Kong, with South Korea becoming the inaugural champions after defeating Israel 2–1 in the final.
The tournament initially featured only four teams, but has expanded over the decades to 24 teams since 2019. The tournament is held every four years, usually in odd-numbered years to avoid conflict with the World Cup and Olympics bắn cá thần tài.
Since 2004, the AFC has invited non-Asian teams, such as Australia (which joined the AFC in 2006), to help increase the level of competition. Qatar are the most recent champions, winning the 2023 tournament after a 3-1 win over Jordan in Lusail.
The AFC Asian Cup is a platform for Asian teams to assert their position, while also promoting the development of football in emerging countries such as Vietnam and Jordan. The tournament provides opportunities for young players to shine and stirs up national pride, as demonstrated by Qatar’s 2019 victory over Japan.
Competition format and participating teams
Understanding how the tournament is organized and the teams involved will help you follow the AFC Asian Cup in a complete and engaging way.
Competition format
The AFC Asian Cup currently features 24 teams, divided into two stages: the group stage and the knockout stage. The group stage consists of six groups of four teams, playing a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16. The knockout stage (16 teams, quarter-finals, semi-finals, final) is played in a single-elimination format, with extra time and penalties if necessary.
The 2023 edition in Qatar will use VAR technology and will not feature a third-place match since 2019. The winner will receive $5 million, the runner-up $3 million, and a ticket to the FIFA Confederations Cup (if it still exists).
Team Participation
The tournament features 24 teams from the 47 AFC member associations, who either qualify through qualifying or are exempt (as the host nation). Strong teams such as Japan (4 titles), Saudi Arabia (3), Iran (3) and Australia (1) are usually favourites to win.
The 2023 season will feature Southeast Asian teams such as Vietnam, Thailand and West Asian teams such as Iraq, Jordan. Qatar, with home advantage and impressive form, will be champions in 2023. New teams such as Tajikistan (first-time quarter-finalists in 2023) will bring surprises and variety.
Tips for enjoying the AFC Asian Cup
To fully enjoy the AFC Asian Cup, fans need to adopt practical approaches.
Update information from official sources
Follow the news on AFC.com, ESPN or Sofascore for fixtures, lineups and stats. For example, rewatch Akram Afif’s goal in 2023 on YouTube via the AFC channel. Take notes of key players, like Son Heung-min, in an app like Evernote for easy discussion.
Join the fan community
Connect through groups on Reddit, or follow the AFC account on X to discuss the game. For example, share your predictions for Japan vs. Korea to get a different perspective. Join football cafes or viewing groups to get in on the action.
Discover the team story
Learn about team histories, like Japan’s four-time title run, to connect emotionally. Take notes of memorable moments, like Ali Daei’s goal in 1996, to share with friends. Aim to watch at least one group stage match to gain a deeper understanding of the tournament.
Conclude
AFC Asian Cup is Asia’s premier national football tournament, offering fun, inspiration and the opportunity to explore the region’s football culture. With a history dating back to 1956, an exciting format and teams such as Japan and South Korea, the tournament is the pinnacle of Asian football. Get ready for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia for a meaningful and exciting footballing journey!
