Sunday 10 / May / 2026
MUSCAT: Oman have been drawn together with heavyweights and hosts Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Palestine in Group A of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
Oman, under Moroccan manager Tarik Sektioui, will kick off their campaign with their opening clash against Kuwait on January 8 at the King Saud University Stadium (26,000-seater). The Red Warriors then meet Saudi Arabia on January 12 at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium (72,000-seater) before concluding their group engagement with Palestine on January 17 at King Saud University Stadium.
The draw of the continental football showpiece concluded in Diriyah on Saturday night setting up the stage of spectacular showdowns from January 7 to February 5, 2027.
Asia’s top 24 men’s national teams will feature in the event and the six groups were finalised at the draw ceremony held amid the stunning backdrop of the Salwa Palace in Diriyah’s historic At-Turaif District.
Further exemplifying the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s readiness to welcome the rest of Asia and the world, the official slogan of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 was unveiled during the final draw as Ahlan Asia – a warm invitation to all to come together.
For the first time ever, Saudi Arabia are serving as tournament hosts and their quest for glory on home soil starts in the capital city of Riyadh with the opening clash against Palestine on January 7 (Thursday) at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, which can hold 72,000 spectators.
It will be the Green Falcons’ second time contesting an opening match in the AFC Asian Cup after the 1992 edition, where they drew 1-1 with China. They will face Palestine for the first time in the competition; it will be the latter’s first involvement in a tournament opener and only their 11th match ever.
Taking part in their fourth consecutive finals since making their debut in 2015, Palestine advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in the previous edition and will hope to repeat the feat.
The Group A showdown marks the West Asians’ 53rd match in tournament history and Georgios Donis’ Saudi Arabia will aim to go all the way and add to their three titles from 1984, 1988 and 1996, which would see them match Japan’s record haul of four crowns and also become the eighth host nation to triumph.
Eight stadiums across three cities will serve as the battlegrounds for the 51 matches of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027: five in Riyadh, two in Jeddah and one in Al Khobar.
A day after the opener between Saudi Arabia and Palestine, a trio of matches are pencilled in for January 8 (Friday).
Besides Oman game at the King Saud University Stadium, the Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium (25,000) begins with the Group B fixture between Bahrain and North Korea. Over at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (60,000) in Jeddah, Group B duo Uzbekistan and Jordan will cross paths.
On January 9 (Saturday), Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena (26,000) welcomes its first pair of teams as Islamic Republic of Iran and China PR kick off their Group C campaign, while the Aramco Stadium (45,000) in Al Khobar does likewise with a meeting between Group D’s Australia and Singapore.
The Al Shabab Stadium (13,000) in Riyadh swings into action on January 10 (Sunday) with the Group D match between Tajikistan and Iraq, while Jeddah’s Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium (26,000) ignites on January 11 (Monday) as Japan and Indonesia go head-to-head in Group F.
With the conclusion of the group stage on January 20 (Wednesday), the Round of 16 will take place between January 22 to 25, before the tournament moves into the quarter-finals on January 28 and 29, and the semi-finals on February 1 and 2.
The spectacular AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 will culminate in the grand final on February 5 (Friday) at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium, where the kings of Asia will be crowned.
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.
Group A
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine.
Group B
Uzbekistan, Bahrain, North 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.
