RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Saturday’s draw placed four-time champions Japan in the same group as defending champion Qatar for the 2027 Asian Cup.
Saudi Arabia will host the 24-team tournament for the first time from January 7 to February. 5.
The Asian Football Confederation hopes the tournament can be held without further disruption.
The lottery was originally scheduled for April 11th, but was postponed due to the following reasons: middle east conflict. The final is still incomplete, as the match between Lebanon and Yemen scheduled for March 31st was not played as scheduled and was postponed to June.
In Group F, Japan will face 2019 and 2023 champions Qatar, as well as Indonesia and Thailand.
Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said, “Japan has always been one of the leaders in Asian football.” “They have quality players and we have to believe in ourselves.”
Saudi Arabia, which is also the stage for the 2034 World Cup, will face Kuwait, Oman and Palestine in the West Asia group, aiming to win their first title since 1996.
“If we play in the Asia Cup with our country, we will be ready to reach the final and win the title,” the Saudi Arabian coach said. Giorgio Donis was appointed in April. Appointed as successor to Hervé Renard.
Uzbekistan and Jordan prepare for first match world cup They played in June and were drawn with North Korea and Bahrain in Group B of the Asian Cup.
Iran faces Syria and China.
In Group D, Australia drew with another former champion. Iraq led by former Socceroos manager Graham ArnoldTajikistan and Singapore also qualified for the tournament for the first time since 1984.
South Korea has not won the tournament since 1960 and will face the winners of the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Lebanon vs. Yemen.
The top two teams in six groups of four advance to the Round of 16 along with the top four teams in third place.
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