AFC Asian Cup
Asia's national-team championship. Qatar are the back-to-back holders.
- First held 1956
- 8 editions listed
- Reigning: Qatar
- Every four years
Overview
The AFC Asian Cup is the continental championship of Asia, first played in 1956. Japan have won it four times; Qatar won the 2019 and 2023 editions, beating Jordan 3-1 in the 2023 final.
Japan became the dominant side in the modern era, winning in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011, while Iran won three in a row from 1968 to 1976 and Saudi Arabia and South Korea have also been champions. Iraq surprised many by winning in 2007, and Australia won in 2015 on home soil after joining the Asian confederation.
Qatar won in 2019 (beating Japan 3-1 in Abu Dhabi) and again in 2023, a tournament held in Qatar in January and February 2024. The next edition, in 2027, is hosted by Saudi Arabia.
How it works
The finals have 24 teams in six groups, followed by a round of 16 and the knockout rounds. Teams qualify through the AFC qualifying competition.
Who has won it most?
Titles won by each team across the 8 editions listed here.
Winners by year
Newest first.
| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Host / final | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Qatar | Jordan | Qatar | 3-1Played in January and February 2024 |
| 2019 | Qatar | Japan | United Arab Emirates | 3-1 |
| 2015 | Australia | South Korea | Australia | 2-1 aet |
| 2011 | Japan | Australia | Qatar | 1-0 aet |
| 2007 | Iraq | Saudi Arabia | Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam | 1-0 |
| 2004 | Japan | China | China | 3-1 |
| 2000 | Japan | Saudi Arabia | Lebanon | 1-0 |
| 1996 | Saudi Arabia | United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates | 0-0 aet, 4-2 on penalties |
Records & facts
- Most titles
- Japan, 4
- Reigning champions
- Qatar (2023, back-to-back)
- Editions listed here
- 1996 to 2023
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