Kuala Lumpur, April 7 (BNA): The world rankings for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, which will be held on May 11 in Doha, Qatar, have been confirmed following the release of the latest world rankings.
As with previous editions of the Asian crown jewel, first place has been allocated to Qatar in Pot 1 before the draw to be held at the Katara Opera House to ensure the host nation begins the tournament with the opening match scheduled for January 12, 2024.
The hosts and defending champions are joined in Pot 1 by teams ranked second to sixth in Asia in the latest FIFA rankings: four-time winners Japan, three-time champions Iran, two-time winners South Korea, 2015 champions Australia and Saudi Arabia. Arabia, which will aspire to win its fourth continental title.
The second level will include Iraq, the 2007 champion, and the 2019 hosts of the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Uzbekistan, which reached the semi-finals in 2011, and the two-time runner-up China and Jordan.
Meanwhile, Bahrain, Syria, Palestine, Vietnam, Kyrgyz Republic and Lebanon will all take their places in Pot 3, while India, newcomers Tajikistan, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Indonesia will complete the line-up in Pot 4.
Similar to the expanded 2019 edition in the UAE, the 24 teams will be drawn into six groups of four teams each across Groups A to F, with the two best and four best third-placed teams advancing to the Final 16 of the competition. Before the crowning of the Asian Champion on February 10, 2024.
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