Japan, Qatar drawn together in Asian Cup finals / Photo: Fayez NURELDINE - AFP
-
Cavaliers top Pistons to trim deficit in NBA playoff series
-
Iran's Guards threaten US sites as Trump waits for Tehran response
-
Bastia crowd trouble delays Le Mans Ligue 1 promotion party
-
Japan, Qatar drawn together in Asian Cup finals
-
Dupont inspires Toulouse past Toulon, Montauban relegated from Top 14
-
Sevilla strike late to boost survival hopes, Celta edge Atletico
-
Brazil court suspends law aimed at reducing Bolsonaro sentence
-
Militia kill at least 69 in NE DR Congo: local, security sources
-
Defending champ Jeeno retains lead at Mizuho Americas Open
-
At least 8 killed as Israel pounds Lebanon despite truce
-
Messi on target as Miami swat Toronto
-
Kane penalty miss as Olise rescues Bayern to pile pressure on Wolfsburg
-
Guardiola salutes Doku after Man City star dazzles in win over Brentford
-
Sinner opens Italian Open account, Sabalenka suffers shock early exit
-
Atlanta Braves legend Cox dies: team
-
Man City keep title race alive, Liverpool frustrated by Chelsea
-
Venezuela leader to go to The Hague on first trip outside Caribbean
-
Man City beat Brentford to close gap on leaders Arsenal
-
Rashid Khan bowls Gujarat to 77-run win over Rajasthan
-
Champions Inter thump Lazio in cup final warm up
-
Piccardo quadruple relegates Montauban from Top 14
-
Sabalenka suffers early Italian Open exit ahead of Sinner bow
-
Indonesia rescuers retrieve hiker's body after volcanic eruption
-
Magyar takes over as Hungary's prime minister, closing Orban era
-
Leipzig seal Champions League berth in Bundesliga
-
Liverpool frustrated by Chelsea draw, Man Utd held at Sunderland
-
Leipzig seal Champions League berth
-
Hadjar revels in old-school car and fan adoration
-
Martin surges to MotoGP sprint win as Marquez breaks foot at Le Mans
-
Vingegaard shows intent on Giro climb as Silva takes pink
-
Liverpool will be a 'different team' next season, says Slot
-
Magyar sworn in as Hungary's 'regime change' PM
-
Martin surges to MotoGP sprint victory at Le Mans
-
Paolini's Italian Open title defence ends ahead of Sinner bow
-
Liverpool limp towards Champions League with Chelsea draw
-
Abbas takes five wickets to put Pakistan ahead in Bangladesh Test
-
UK's Starmer vows to 'listen to voters' after election drubbing
-
Putin chides NATO in speech at scaled-back Victory Day parade
-
Moscow's Victory Day parade draws muted response from Russians
-
Canary Islands brace for arrival of hantavirus-hit cruise ship
-
Bagnaia pips Marquez to French Grand Prix pole
-
Tchouameni can play Clasico despite Valverde clash: Real Madrid's Arbeloa
-
Conflict inflames tensions at Venice Biennale of Art
-
'No home left' for Gazans stranded in West Bank since Oct 7
-
Indonesia rescuers search for hikers killed in volcanic eruption
-
Magyar to become Hungary's 'regime change' PM
-
Wembanyama powers Spurs past T-Wolves as Knicks beat Sixers
-
Trapped seafarers traumatised by Gulf fighting: charities
-
European minnows bid to challenge social media giants
-
Red-hot Knicks open 3-0 playoff lead against Sixers
Japan, Qatar drawn together in Asian Cup finals
Record winners Japan were drawn in the same group as champions Qatar for next year's AFC Asian Cup, while hosts Saudi Arabia will meet Kuwait, Oman and Palestine.
The draw for the 2027 edition of the continent's showpiece event, which runs from January 7 to February 5, took place on Saturday in Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia are staging the Asian Cup for the first time as the kingdom views the tournament as a precursor to hosting the 2034 World Cup.
"We have the advantage of playing at home," Saudi head coach Giorgos Donis told AFP.
"We have the stress but we will manage it with our experience," the Greek added.
For the third time running, the Asian Cup will feature 24 national teams, with 23 already confirmed.
The sole remaining spot will go to either Lebanon or Yemen, who contest a play-off in Doha on June 4.
A tie would be enough for Lebanon to qualify.
At the draw, Japan were placed in Group F alongside Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia.
Japan have lifted the trophy a record four times, although they have not won the tournament since 2011.
Saudi Arabia and Iran each have three wins, with Qatar crowned champions for the past two tournaments, in 2019 and 2023.
Last time out, the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts defeated Jordan 3-1 in the final.
Both countries have qualified for this summer’s global finals, with Jordan competing for the first time.
On Saturday, teams were divided into four pots of six in accordance with the latest FIFA ranking as of April 1. At 18th in the official standings, Japan are the lead country in Asia, with Iran second (No. 21), South Korea third (No. 25) and Australia fourth (No. 27).
Allocated first position in Pot 1, Saudi Arabia are looking to add to the three titles they won in 1984, 1988 and 1996.
The opening match will be played on June 7 between Saudi Arabia and Palestine at the refurbished King Fahd Sports City Stadium, its 72,000 capacity making it the largest of the venues used.
Group A
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine
Group B
Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea, Jordan
Group C
Islamic Republic of Iran, Syria, Kyrgyz Republic, China
Group D
Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore
Group E
South Korea, UAE, Vietnam, Lebanon/Yemen
Group F
Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia
Th.Berger--AMWN