TEHRAN – Iran’s national football team learned its rivals at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023.
The continental showpiece, scheduled for January 12 to February 10, 2024 promises to be a thrilling affair with seven former winners among the 24 teams - seeded in accordance with the latest FIFA World Ranking - divided into six groups.
Tournament host and defending champion Qatar are the top seeded team in Group A with its title defense to begin against two-time runner-up China PR, Tajikistan and Lebanon.
Group B will see 2015 champion Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria and India contesting for the knockout stage spots.
Three-time winner Iran, 1996 runner-up United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong China and Palestine will vie for the knockout stage spots in Group C while record four-time winner Japan, Indonesia, 2007 champion Iraq and Vietnam were drawn in Group D.
Twice champion Korea Republic, the top seeded team in Group E, will have Malaysia, Jordan and Bahrain to contend with while Group F will have three-time winner Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyz Republic and Oman fighting for the knockout stage spots.
The top two sides from each group and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16 at Qatar 2023.
Group A: Qatar, China PR, Tajikistan, Lebanon
Group B: Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India
Group C: Iran, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong China, Palestine
Group D: Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam
Group E: Korea Republic, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain
Group F: Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyz Republic, Oman