AFC Asian Cup 2023: Qualified teams, groups, fixtures, results and how it works

90min

·8 novembre 2023

AFC Asian Cup 2023: Qualified teams, groups, fixtures, results and how it works

There are myriad international football tournaments to enjoy in 2024.

Not only is there the 2024 European Championships next year but there is also the Copa America, Africa Cup of Nations and next summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

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However, despite not having quite as much prestige as some of the upcoming international competitions, the 2023 AFC Asian Cup is also on the horizon. Set to take place at the beginning of next year, it will be the 18th iteration of Asia's biggest football tournament.

Here is everything you need to know about the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

When does the 2023 Asian Cup start and finish?

Despite being called the 2023 Asian Cup, the tournament will actually take place in 2024. This is because it's being hosted by Qatar who were unable to put on the competition last summer due to their participation in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup and because of the extreme summer temperatures in the country. The 2022 men's World Cup held in the tiny Gulf state infamously underwent the same winter rescheduling.

As a result, the Asian Cup was moved to the beginning of 2024 and will start on 12 January. The tournament will run for approximately a month, coming to an end on 10 February.

Tournament layout of the 2023 Asian Cup

There are 24 teams in the 2023 Asian Cup, resulting in six groups of four. The two teams that finish top of each group will automatically qualify for the knockout stages, with the four best-performing third-placed sides also progressing.

If teams are level on points at the end of the group stage, their progression will be decided on head-to-head record, then by goal difference.

All knockout matches consist of one-legged ties, with the last 16 followed by the quarter-final, semi-final and final.

Qualified teams

Of the nine teams that have won the competition in the past, seven have qualified for the 2023 Asian Cup. Israel won the tournament in 1964 but now compete in UEFA competitions, while 1980 winners Kuwait failed to make it to the finals.

Record four-time winners Japan will be among the favourites for the 2023 Asian Cup, with the likes of South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Australia and current holders Qatar also in the mix for the trophy.