Saudi Arabia placed in Pot 1 as seedings confirmed for AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 draw

The seeding for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Final Draw, which will take place on May 11, 2023, in Doha, has now been confirmed following the release of the latest FIFA World Ranking.

As with the previous editions of Asia’s showpiece international tournament, Qatar have been allocated the first position in Pot 1 ahead of the draw to be held at the Katara Opera House to ensure that the host nation commences the tournament with the opening match scheduled for Jan. 12, 2024.

Joining the hosts and defending champions in Pot 1 are the teams ranked from second to sixth in Asia in the latest FIFA Ranking: four-time winners Japan, three-time champions Iran, two-time winners Korea Republic; 2015 champions Australia; and Saudi Arabia, who will be aiming to claim their fourth Continental crown.

Pot 2 will comprise 2007 champions Iraq, 2019 hosts the UAE, Oman, 2011 semi-finalist Uzbekistan, two-time runners-up China and Jordan.

Meanwhile, Bahrain, Syria, Palestine, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon will take their places in Pot 3, while India, debutants 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 divided into six groups of four teams each across Groups A to F, with the top two and four best third-placed teams advancing into the final 16 of the competition before the Asian champions are crowned on Feb. 10, 2024.