Lebanon nears return to Asia’s biggest football stage

Source: Nida Al Watan 

The draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals, held at the historic Al-Salwa Palace in Riyadh, placed the winner of the decisive Lebanon-Yemen qualifier into Group E alongside South Korea, the UAE, and Vietnam. Saudi Arabia will host the tournament for the first time in its history between January 7 and February 5, 2027.

Lebanon will fight for the final qualification spot when it faces Yemen on June 4 in Qatar, with the winner advancing directly into Group E of the continental tournament. The Lebanese national team is aiming to qualify for the Asian Cup finals for the fourth time in its history, having previously appeared in the 2000 edition hosted by Lebanon, the 2019 tournament in the UAE, and the 2023 edition in Qatar.

The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 16, scheduled between January 22 and 25. The quarter-finals will take place on January 28 and 29, followed by the semi-finals on February 1 and 2, while the final will be played on February 5, 2027, at King Fahd Sports City Stadium.

According to the group schedule, the winner of the Lebanon-Yemen clash will begin its campaign against South Korea on January 10 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. It will then face the UAE on January 15 at Kingdom Arena before concluding the group stage against Vietnam on January 20 at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud University Stadium.

The draw also placed host nation Saudi Arabia in Group A alongside Kuwait, Oman, and Palestine. Group B features Uzbekistan, Bahrain, North Korea, and Jordan, while Group C includes Iran, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, and China. Group D consists of Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, and Singapore, while Group F brings together Japan, Qatar, Thailand, and Indonesia.