Vietnam to face Indonesia, Iraq and Japan at Asian Cup

Japan were winners of the competition on a record four occasions and were runners-up four years ago.

Holders and hosts Qatar have been grouped with China, Tajikistan and Lebanon. Qatar, who won the title for the first time when the tournament was held in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, will open their defense on Jan 12 against the Lebanese in Group A.

Group B will feature 2015 champions Australia alongside Uzbekistan, Syria and India while three-time winners Iran headline Group C alongside the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Palestine.

South Korea will be looking to claim the title for the first time since 1960 and face Malaysia, Jordan and Bahrain in Group E and Saudi Arabia, who won the most recent of their three titles in 1996, meet Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Oman in Group F.

The tournament, originally scheduled to be played in June and July this year, will run from Jan. 12 to Feb. 10 and is being held in Qatar after original hosts China stood down due to the country's Covid-19 pandemic restrictions.

Asian Cup Qatar 2023 draw:

Group A: Qatar, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon

Group B: Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India

Group C: Iran, United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Palestine

Group D: Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam

Group E: South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain

Group F: Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Oman