AFC Asian Cup: History, Past Winners and What Comes Next
The AFC Asian Cup is the biggest national-team tournament in Asian football. For example, it works like the Euros for Europe or the Copa América for South America. However, it covers the world’s largest continent, so the range of playing styles is much wider. In this guide, you will first learn how the Asian Football Confederation works. Next, you will see who has won the title and what to expect from the next edition.
What Is the AFC and How Does It Work?
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) governs football in Asia from its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In fact, it was founded in 1954 and now has 47 member associations. Think of it as a regional branch office. For instance, FIFA sets the global rules, while the AFC runs the competitions inside Asia.
Australia also competes under the AFC. Indeed, it moved over from Oceania in 2006. As a result, the competition became tougher for every other team.
How the AFC Asian Cup Started
The first edition took place in Hong Kong in 1956, with only a handful of teams. First, South Korea won that tournament, and then it won again in 1960. Since then, the event has grown a lot. Today, 24 teams compete, so strong sides from East Asia, West Asia, Central Asia and Australia all take part.
Moreover, the tournament runs every four years. Therefore, each edition is a major event for Asian fans.
AFC Asian Cup Winners: Every Champion
Japan, Iran and Saudi Arabia dominate the list. However, newer winners such as Iraq, Australia and Qatar show how open the competition has become. For a quick overview, the table below lists every champion.
| Year | Host | Champion | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Hong Kong | South Korea | Israel |
| 1960 | South Korea | South Korea | Israel |
| 1964 | Israel | Israel | India |
| 1968 | Iran | Iran | Burma |
| 1972 | Thailand | Iran | South Korea |
| 1976 | Iran | Iran | Kuwait |
| 1980 | Kuwait | Kuwait | South Korea |
| 1984 | Singapore | Saudi Arabia | China |
| 1988 | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | South Korea |
| 1992 | Japan | Japan | Saudi Arabia |
| 1996 | UAE | Saudi Arabia | UAE |
| 2000 | Lebanon | Japan | Saudi Arabia |
| 2004 | China | Japan | China |
| 2007 | Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam | Iraq | Saudi Arabia |
| 2011 | Qatar | Japan | Australia |
| 2015 | Australia | Australia | South Korea |
| 2019 | UAE | Qatar | Japan |
| 2023 | Qatar | Qatar | Jordan |
Most Successful Teams in Asian Football
Several nations stand out in the record books:
- First, Japan leads with four titles (1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011).
- Second, Iran won three titles in a row from 1968 to 1976.
- Third, Saudi Arabia won three titles (1984, 1988 and 1996), although it also lost several finals.
- Also, South Korea won two titles, both early, and finished as runner-up several times.
- Finally, Qatar won in 2019 and 2023, so it is the current champion.
In addition, Iraq, Australia, Kuwait and Israel have each won once.
The 2023 Edition: Qatar Defends Home Soil
The most recent tournament was held in Qatar, with the final in February 2024. As a result of a 3–1 win over Jordan, Qatar claimed back-to-back titles. Meanwhile, Jordan reached its first-ever final, which was one of the biggest stories of the event. Because of results like this, the gap between the top teams and the rest keeps shrinking. Therefore, upsets are always possible in the next edition.
AFC Asian Cup 2027: Saudi Arabia Hosts
Next, the focus turns to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia will host the 2027 edition from January 7 to February 5, with 24 teams competing and Qatar defending the title. Besides that, the hosts have plenty of history in this competition. For that reason, many fans will watch to see whether Saudi Arabia can add a fourth title. However, details can change, so check the official AFC website for the final draw, venues and match schedule.
Other Major AFC Tournaments and the World Cup
The Asian Cup is the headline event. However, the AFC runs many other competitions:
- For example, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is the top women’s national-team tournament in Asia.
- Similarly, the AFC U-23 Asian Cup is a youth tournament that also acts as an Olympic qualifier.
- In addition, the AFC Champions League Elite is the top club competition in Asia.
- Finally, the AFC Futsal Asian Cup is the continental tournament for the indoor game.
Furthermore, the AFC runs the qualifying process for the FIFA World Cup. Therefore, strong Asian Cup runs often carry momentum into World Cup campaigns. For instance, Jordan, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Iraq are all part of the 2026 World Cup story. As a result, the Asian Cup works as a useful preview of Asian strength.
AFC Asian Cup FAQs
Who has won the most titles?
Overall, Japan leads with four.
Who is the current champion?
Currently, Qatar holds the title after wins in 2019 and 2023.
Where is the next tournament?
Next, Saudi Arabia hosts the 2027 edition.
How many teams play?
Today, 24 teams take part.
How often is it held?
Normally, it takes place every four years.
