Almoez Ali (Qatar) was a key factor in Qatar winning the 2019 Asian Cup. He was also the top scorer with a record nine goals and named the tournament's best player. The 27-year-old striker and midfielder Akram Afif are expected to lead Qatar's defense of their title.
Ali was born in Sudan and joined Aspire Academy, which has nurtured a lot of young Qatari football talent. Ali has scored 50 goals in 103 matches for the national team. The only thing missing from his CV is a foreign stint: He has only played domestically, for Al Duhail, since 2016.
Mehdi Taremi (Iran) has a lot of experience in major tournaments such as the World Cup and Asian Cup, and will again be Iran's inspiration in seeking the title. The 31-year-old striker is having an unventful season with Porto, scoring only three goals in 15 matches in the Portuguese league. Last season he had scored 22 times in 33 matches.
But he remains a great striker with sharp finishing skills and slick movement. He has scored 41 goals in 74 matches for Iran, including three in the 2019 Asian Cup.
Mathew Ryan (Australia) is an excellent goalkeeper who won the 2015 Asian Cup with Australia. The former Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper will be Australia's captain in Qatar, a solid guardian and their most experienced player with 86 matches for the national team including 35 clean sheets. The 31-year-old is known for his reflexes and ability to command the defense.
Lee Kang-in (South Korea) is a skilled and intelligent playmaker. The 22-year-old midfielder quickly underscored his talent at PSG when playing alongside Kylian Mbappe. In 2019 he won the U20 World Cup Golden Ball and Best Young Player in Asia awards.
With his addition to the squad, South Korea aim to win the Asian Cup after 64 years of waiting.
Wataru Endo (Japan) had a difficult start at Liverpool but his talent was gradually recognized and he played regularly in December 2023. The 30-year-old midfielder impressed against Arsenal and Man United as an outstanding and energetic defensive midfielder.
Endo is the captain of Japan at the Asian Cup, and he will try to realize his dream of winning the title after missing the previous tournament and seeing his country lose 0-3 to Qatar in the final. Endo is a leader in the midfield and his job is to inspire his teammates to move forward.
It is quite rare for an Asian defender to become world-class, but Kim Min-jae (South Korea) did just that. When it comes to defending, Kim has shown what he's made of, not bronze or steel but something similar, when it comes to defending, as he is an absolute wall. Whether playing in Italy for Napoli or for German giant Bayern Munich, he became the number one choice.
The 27-year-old has helped Bayern keep seven clean sheets in his 15 appearances in the Bundesliga this season. Kim will strengthen South Korea’s defense thanks to his great physique, agility and composure.
Takefusa Kubo (Japan) is considered a star in the Spanish La Liga this season and he is one of the main reasons for Real Sociedad's success with six goals and three assists in 18 matches.
Kubo makes life difficult for defenders with his masterful dribbling skills and great left foot. Japan are waiting for him to recover from an injury to inspire the attack.
Sardar Azmoun (number 20) (Iran) is not having a good season at AS Roma under Jose Mourinho, having only scored one goal. But he is an experienced striker and walks into the national team. The 29-year-old striker has scored 49 goals in 75 matches for Iran, and this will be his third Asian Cup.
A versatile goal poacher with great speed and strength, Azmoun is expected to lead Iran's forward line along with Taremi at the Asian Cup.
Kaoru Mitoma (Japan) made a breakthrough after joining Brighton, and has become one of the most exciting players to watch in the Premier League. The 26-year-old winger is blessed with great dribbling and passing skills.
An injury has left Mitoma's participation in the Asian Cup slightly doubtful, but his appearance in Qatar is sure to put his opponents on guard. A Mitoma-Kubo double act will mean no defense in the tournament will be impenetrable.
But the biggest star at the Asian Cup this year is Son Heung-min (South Korea). Son's presence automatically turns South Korea into a title contender. A title with South Korea will possibly make Son the greatest Asian player of all time. At the 2015 Asian Cup, he was very close to the title before losing 1-2 to host Australia in the final. This is his fourth Asian Cup.
This season Son was made captain of Tottenham Hotspur and has scored 12 goals in 20 matches in the Premier League. The 31-year-old forward is brimming with confidence as he seeks his country’s first Asian Cup title in 64 years.
