The AFC Asian Cup is the premier men’s football championship for nations in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It determines the continental champion of Asia and has evolved through several formats since its inception in 1956.
What it is
- A major international tournament for AFC member associations, crowning the continent’s champions. It is the second-oldest continental football championship in the world after Copa América.
- Since 2019, the tournament has featured 24 teams in the final competition, expanding from 16, and the qualifying rounds also serve as part of FIFA World Cup qualification for some cycles.
History and format
- The competition has been held roughly every four years, with notable shifts in scheduling: it originally ran every four years, then moved to a less crowded cycle in 2004, and has continued on a four-year rhythm since.
- Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Qatar are among the most successful nations in AFC Asian Cup history, with multiple titles across different decades. Australia joined the AFC in 2007 and won the tournament in 2015.
Recent and upcoming editions
- The 2027 edition is planned to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, with the tournament expanding to 24 teams, continuing the AFC’s cycle of hosting and competition. The schedule indicates early January to early February 2027 as the window for the event.
Notable sources and reference points
- General overview and history: AFC Asian Cup page and related summaries.
- Winners and records: lists of champions and individual team successes.
- Upcoming edition specifics (host, timing): AFC official pages and 2027 tournament notes.
If you’d like, I can pull specific up-to-date details (e.g., list of all past winners by year, top scorers, or the latest news about the 2027 edition) and format them into a concise reference.
