AFC Asian Cup
Overview
AFC Asian Cup is the most prestigious men's national team football tournament in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC; 아시아축구연맹). Since the first edition was held in Hong Kong in 1956, it has been staged every four years, and together with the Asian section of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers it forms one of the two main pillars of Asian football. The winner of the tournament earned the right to compete in the FIFA Confederations Cup (now abolished), and today the competition stands as the de facto highest stage of honor for AFC member nations.
Main Content
History and Origins
The first tournament was held in Hong Kong in 1956 with four countries participating (South Korea, Israel, Hong Kong, and South Vietnam), and South Korea became the inaugural champion. Iran then led early Asian football by winning three consecutive titles in 1968, 1972, and 1976. Entering the 1980s, Saudi Arabia reached the top three times, in 1984, 1988, and 1996, and from the 1990s onward Japan won four titles in 1992, 2000, 2004, and 2011, becoming the most successful nation (4 titles).
Tournament Format
The finals consist of a group stage and a knockout stage. Until the 2004 tournament in China the format featured 16 teams, but starting with the 2019 tournament in the UAE it was expanded to 24 teams. The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four for the group stage, and the top two teams from each group (12 teams) plus the four best third-placed teams form a round of 16 knockout bracket. In the knockout stage, if a match is drawn, the winner is decided through extra time and a penalty shootout. The host country receives automatic qualification for the finals.
Major Past Champions
- Japan: 4 titles (1992, 2000, 2004, 2011)
- Saudi Arabia: 3 titles (1984, 1988, 1996)
- Iran: 3 titles (1968, 1972, 1976)
- Qatar: 2 titles (2019, 2023)
- South Korea: 2 titles (1956, 1960)
- Australia: 1 title (2015, the 2015 tournament in Australia)
- Iraq: 1 title (2007)
- Kuwait: 1 title (1980)
- Israel: 1 title (1964)
South Korea's Past Results
South Korea reigned as Asia's strongest team by winning consecutive titles at the inaugural tournament (1956) and the 1960 tournament held on home soil, but since then it has gone more than 60 years without lifting the trophy. It finished as runners-up in 1972, 1980, 1988, and 2015, reached the quarterfinals in 2019, and made the semifinals in 2023 (held in 2024). In particular, in the 2015 final in Australia, it lost 1-2 to Australia after extra time and had to settle for second place.
List of Host Countries
Hong Kong (1956), South Korea (1960), Israel (1964), Iran (1968, 1976), Thailand (1972), Kuwait (1980), Singapore (1984), Qatar (1988, 2011, 2023), Japan (1992), UAE (1996, 2019), Lebanon (2000), China (2004), Indonesia·Malaysia·Thailand·Vietnam jointly (2007), Australia (2015), Saudi Arabia (scheduled for 2027). The 2007 tournament was recorded as the first-ever joint hosting by four countries.
Latest Trends
The 2023 tournament in Qatar (held from January 12 to February 10, 2024) was originally scheduled for the summer of 2023 but was postponed due to Qatar's extremely hot climate and took place in early 2024. In the final, Qatar defeated Jordan 3-1 to achieve the first back-to-back title in its history, while Jordan caused a sensation by reaching the final for the first time ever. South Korea suffered a crushing 0-2 defeat to Jordan in the semifinals, which led to controversy over the dismissal of head coach Jürgen Klinsmann. The 2027 tournament is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia, and the 24-team finals format will be maintained. Meanwhile, as the 2026 World Cup in North and Central America expands to 48 teams, Asia's quota has increased to 8.5 spots, and changes are expected in the competitive landscape and stature of the Asian Cup as well. The AFC has reorganized its club competitions into the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) and greatly increased prize money, and alongside expanded league investment by Middle Eastern capital such as Saudi Arabia, the balance of power in Asian football is being reshaped. The broadcasting rights and sponsorship markets are also growing, and the Asian Cup is regarded as the biggest box-office event among single-sport competitions in Asia.
Related Topics
- [[FIFA World Cup]]
- [[AFC Champions League Elite]]
- [[South Korea national football team]]
- [[Asian Football Confederation]]
- [[Japan national football team]]