AFC Asian Cup 2023: All You Need To Know Including Teams, Groups, Full Schedule and India's Fixtures

Asia’s biggest continental football tournament, the AFC Asian Cup is set to get underway in Qatar on January 12, 2024. Hosts Qatar will kick off their title defense with a match against Lebanon in the tournament opener scheduled to be played at the Lusail Stadium. Overall, 24 nations will be vying for the coveted title this time. India, ranked 102nd, reached the AFC Asian Cup having claimed three wins from three matches against Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia. The Igor Stimac-coached side have been placed in Group B along with Australia, Uzbekistan and Syria. In their first match of the tournament, India will be up against Australia on Saturday, January 13.

As the AFC Asian Cup 2023 is all set to start this week, we take a look at all the details about the grand continental football competition.

Groups

Group A: Qatar, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon

Group B: Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India

Group C: Iran, UAE, Hong Kong, Palestine

Group D: Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam

Group E:  South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain

Group F:  Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Oman

Venues

Overall, nine stadiums across Qatar will be hosting 51 matches at the AFC Asian Cup. The Lusail Stadium will be hosting the opening fixture and final of the competition. The other venues are- Al Khor: Al Bayt Stadium, Al Rayyan: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Education City Stadium, Jassim bin Hamad Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium, Doha: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Al Wakrah: Al Janoub Stadium

Live telecast and live streaming

Fans in India can enjoy the live telecast of the AFC Asian Cup matches on Sports18 Network. The AFC Asian Cups will also be streamed live on the JioCinema app and website in India.

Schedule

Group A

January 12: Qatar vs Lebanon

January 13: China vs Tajikistan

January 17: Lebanon vs China

January 17: Tajikistan vs Qatar

January 22: Qatar vs China

January 22: Tajikistan vs Lebanon

Group B

January 13: Australia vs India

January 13: Uzbekistan vs Syria

January 18: Syria vs Australia

January 18: India vs Uzbekistan

January 23: Australia vs Uzbekistan

January 23: Syria vs India

Group C

January 14: UAE vs Hong Kong

January 14: Iran vs Palestine

January 18: Palestine vs UAE

January 19: Hong Kong vs Iran

January 23: Iran vs UAE

January 23: Hong Kong vs Palestine

Group D

January 14: Japan vs Vietnam

January 15: Indonesia vs Iraq

January 19: Iraq vs Japan

January 19: Vietnam vs Indonesia

January 24: Japan vs Indonesia

January 24: Iraq vs Vietnam

Group E

January 15: South Korea vs Bahrain

January 15: Malaysia vs Jordan

January 20: Jordan vs South Korea

January 20: Bahrain vs Malaysia

January 25: South Korea vs Malaysia

January 25: Jordan vs Bahrain

Group F

January 16: Thailand vs Kyrgyzstan

January 16: Saudi Arabia vs Oman

January 21: Oman vs Thailand

January 21: Kyrgyzstan vs Saudi Arabia

January 25: Saudi Arabia vs Thailand

January 25: Kyrgyzstan vs Oman

Round of 16

Match 37: January 28— Winner B vs 3rd place A/C/D

Match 38: January 28 — Runner-up A vs Runner-up C

Match 39: January 29 — Winner D vs 3rd place B/E/F

Match 40: January 29— Winner A vs 3rd place C/D/E

Match 41: January 30 — Runner-up B vs Runner-up F

Match 42: January 30— Winner F vs Runner-up E

Match 43: January 31— Winner E vs Runner-up D

Match 44: January 31 — Winner C vs 3rd place A/B/F

Quarterfinal

Match 45: February 2 — Winner of 38 vs Winner of 39

Match 46: February 2— Winner of 37 vs Winner of 42 —

Match 47: February 3— Winner of 44 vs Winner of 43 — Al Rayyan

Match 48: February 3— Winner of 40 vs Winner of 41 — Al Khor

Semifinal

First semi-final: February 6

Second semi-final: February 7

Final

February 10