Japan lands defending champion Qatar in a tough 2027 Asian Cup group draw
Four-time winner Japan was grouped with defending champion Qatar at the 2027 Asian Cup in the draw on Saturday. Saudi Arabia will host the 24-team tournament for the first time from Jan. 7-Feb.
5. The Asian Football Confederation will be hoping the competition will be held without any further complications.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Four-time winner Japan was grouped with defending champion Qatar at the 2027 Asian Cup in the draw on Saturday. Saudi Arabia will host the 24-team tournament for the first time from Jan. 7-Feb.
5. The Asian Football Confederation will be hoping the competition will be held without any further complications. The draw was originally set for April 11 but was postponed because of the conflict in the Middle East.
The final field is still incomplete because the Lebanon-Yemen match was not played as scheduled on March 31 and has been postponed to June. As well as Qatar, the champion in 2019 and 2023, Japan will take on Indonesia and Thailand in Group F. “Japan is one of the leaders in Asian football, always,” Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui said.