2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Dates | 25 March 2025 – 4 June 2026 |
| Teams | 24 (from 1 confederation) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 72 |
| Goals scored | 215 (2.99 per match) |
| Attendance | 722,935 (10,041 per match) |
| Top scorer | |
← 2023 2031 → | |
The third round[note 1] of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification was played from 25 March 2025 to 4 June 2026.[1]
Format
A total of 24 teams (3 best ranked losing teams from the first round + 18 third and fourth-placed teams from the second round + 3 winners from the play-off round) participated in the third round to compete for the final six slots in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.[2]
The 24 teams were divided into six groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. Only the group winners of each group qualified for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, where they joined the 18 teams which qualified directly from the second round.[3]
Qualified teams
Best-ranked losing teams from the first round:
Teams finishing third or fourth in their respective second round groups:
Play-off round winners:
Seeding
The draw was held on 9 December 2024 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,[8] at 15:00 (UTC+8). The teams were drawn into six groups of four teams each, with the seeding based on the November 2024 FIFA World Rankings.
The national teams which qualified are presented in bold.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Schedule
The schedule of each matchday is as follows.[10][11]
| Matchday | Dates |
|---|---|
| Matchday 1 | 25 March 2025 |
| Matchday 2 | 10 June 2025 |
| Matchday 3 | 9 October 2025 |
| Matchday 4 | 14 October 2025 |
| Matchday 5 | 18–19 November 2025 26 March 2026 (Group E only) |
| Matchday 6 | 31 March 2026 4 June 2026 (Group B only) |
Rules
The winner of each group will qualify for the final tournament, joining the 18 teams that qualified directly (including the host).
- Tiebreakers
The teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers will be applied in the following order (Regulations Article 7.3):[12]
- Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
- If more than two teams are tied, and after applying criteria 1 to 3, a subset of teams is still tied, criteria 1 to 3 are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
- Goal difference in all group matches;
- Goals scored in all group matches;
- Penalty shoot-out if only two teams are tied and they meet in the last round of the group;
- Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points);
- Drawing of lots.
Groups
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 3 | +11 | 14 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–0 | |||
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 6 | +10 | 14 | 2–2 | 4–1 | 3–1 | ||||
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 13 | −10 | 3 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 2–1 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 15 | −11 | 3 | 0–5 | 1–4 | 1–0 |
| Philippines | 4–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Timor-Leste | 1–0 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
| Philippines | 2–2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Timor-Leste | 1–4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Freitas |
Report Report (AFC) |
Kristensen |
| Tajikistan | 2–0 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
| Philippines | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Maldives | 0–3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Timor-Leste | 0–5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Maldives | 0–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Maldives | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Tajikistan | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 1 | +19 | 14 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup | 0–0 | 7–1 | 9–0 | |||
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 2 | +12 | 13 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 5–0 | ||||
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 16 | −12 | 4 | 0–0 | 0–4 | 2–1 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 22 | −19 | 3 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 2–1 |
| Lebanon | 5–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
| Brunei | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Yemen | 0–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
| Brunei | 0–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Yemen | 9–0 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
| Yemen | 7–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Bhutan | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Lebanon | 0–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 | +4 | 14 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup | 0–0 | 1–0 | 1–1 | |||
| 2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–0 | ||||
| 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 8 | −2 | 5 | 1–2 | 3–4 | 1–0 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 5 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–0 |
| Bangladesh | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rakib |
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Hong Kong | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Orr |
Report Report (AFC) |
Rakib |
| India | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Chhangte |
Report Report (AFC) |
Song Ui-young |
| Hong Kong | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Orr |
Report Report (AFC) |
| Bangladesh | 1–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Morsalin |
Report Report (AFC) |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 15 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup | 2–1 | 1–0 | 2–0 | |||
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 7 | +4 | 12 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 3–1 | ||||
| 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 9 | −1 | 9 | 0–4 | 1–0 | 3–1 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 5 | 19 | −14 | 0 | 1–6 | 1–2 | 1–3 |
| Chinese Taipei | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Kouamé |
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Sri Lanka | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Turkmenistan | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Chinese Taipei | 1–6 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Turkmenistan | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Sri Lanka | 0–4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Turkmenistan | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Chinese Taipei | 1–3 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 2 | +19 | 18 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup | 5–1 | 5–1 | 2–0 | |||
| 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 11 | −3 | 12 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–0 | ||||
| 3 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 11 | −7 | 2 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 11 | −9 | 2 | 0–5 | 1–2 | 0–0 |
| Myanmar | 2–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Syria | 2–0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
| Afghanistan | 0–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Syria | 5–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Myanmar | 0–3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Afghanistan | 1–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Afghanistan | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Pakistan | 1–2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Syria | 5–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 | +15 | 18 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup | 3–1 | 5–0 | 3–1 | |||
| 2 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 9 | 0–3[a] | 5–1 | 0–3[a] | ||||
| 3 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 16 | −12 | 6 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 2–1 | ||||
| 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 8 | −3 | 3 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–1 |
- 1 2 3 On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents. These players played in the match against Nepal and Vietnam.[21] On 5 March, CAS dismissed FAM's appeal on the falsified documents case.[22][23] On 17 March 2026, the AFC overturned Malaysia's wins against Nepal (on 25 March 2025) and Vietnam (on 10 June 2025) to 0–3 defeats.[24]
| Vietnam | 5–0 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
| Malaysia | 0–3 Awarded[note 13] | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
| Malaysia | 0–3 Awarded[note 14] | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
| Vietnam | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Nepal | 0–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Malaysia | 5–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Nepal | 0–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Laos | 0–2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
| Vietnam | 3–1 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Report Report (AFC) |
| Nepal | 0–1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Report Report (AFC) |
|
Goalscorers
There were 215 goals scored in 72 matches, for an average of 2.99 goals per match.
12 goals
8 goals
6 goals
4 goals
3 goals
2 goals
Omid Popalzay
Rakib Hossain
Shekh Morsalin
Chencho Gyeltshen
Ange Kouamé
Everton Camargo
Matt Orr
Husseyn Chakroun
Samy Merheg
Dion Cools
La'Vere Corbin-Ong
Romel Morales
Ali Fasir
Sandro Reyes
Mohammad Al Mustafa
Omar Al Somah
Pablo Sabbag
Yassin Samia
Sheriddin Boboev
Seksan Ratree
Jude Soonsup-Bell
Mekan Saparow
Omar Al-Dahi
1 goal
Mahboob Hanifi
Ali Reza Panahi
Hamza Choudhury
Shamit Shome
Dawa Kuenjung Tshering
Kinga Wangchuk
Hakeme Yazid Said
Nazirrudin Ismail
Huang Wei-chieh
Kuo Po-wei
Yu Yao-hsing
Stefan Pereira
Rahim Ali
Lallianzuala Chhangte
Akash Mishra
Ryan Williams
Bounphachan Bounkong
Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone
Peter Phanthavong
Damoth Thongkhamsavath
Jihad Ayoub
Omar Bugiel
Zein Farran
Mohamad Haidar
Mohamad Safwan
Walid Shour
Arif Aiman
Endrick
João Figueiredo
Hector Hevel
Rodrigo Holgado
Paulo Josué
Mohamed Irufaan
Khun Kyaw Zin Hein
Maung Maung Lwin
Nanda Kyaw
Manish Dangi
Sanish Shrestha
Shayak Dost
Etzaz Hussain
Jarvey Gayoso
Raphael Obermair
Randy Schneider
Shawal Anuar
Harhys Stewart
Dillon De Silva
Leon Perera
Adhavan Rajamohan
Ahmed Waseem Razeek
Niloshan Senthurvasan
Rahul Suresh
Mahmoud Al Aswad
Alaa Al Dali
Ahmad Faqa
Vahdat Hanonov
Ehson Panjshanbe
Mukhammadzhon Rakhimov
Manuchekhr Safarov
Shahrom Samiev
Parvizdzhon Umarbayev
Manuel Bihr
Chanathip Songkrasin
Patrik Gustavsson
Pansa Hemviboon
Supachai Chaided
Supachok Sarachat
Suphanan Bureerat
Thanawat Suengchitthawon
Alexandro Bakhito
Gali Freitas
João Pedro
João Rangel
Teýmur Çaryýew
Meýlis Diniýew
Ýazgylyç Gurbanow
Rahman Myratberdiýew
Yhlas Saparmämmedow
Mihail Titow
Châu Ngọc Quang
Đỗ Duy Mạnh
Nguyễn Hai Long
Nguyễn Quang Hải
Nguyễn Tiến Linh
Phạm Tuấn Hải
Phạm Xuân Mạnh
Omar Al-Golan
Abdulwasea Al-Matari
Harwan Al-Zubaidi
Abdulaziz Masnom
Adel Qasem
Abdul Sabara
1 own goal
Karma Chetrim (against Brunei)
Christopher Tiao (against Sri Lanka)
Huang Tzu-ming (against Thailand)
Khammanh Thapaseuth (against Malaysia)
Suman Shrestha (against Vietnam)
Saqib Hanif (against Myanmar)
Güýçmyrat Annagulyýew (against Sri Lanka)
Notes
- ↑ Referred to as the final round
- ↑ FIFA suspended Pakistan from all football activities on 6 February 2025 due to failing to adopt a version of the PFF constitution that had been approved by FIFA and AFC.[4][5] The PFF voted to approve the constitutional changes on 27 February 2025, and the suspension was lifted on 2 March 2025.[6][7]
- 1 2 3 Timor-Leste played their home games outside the country, due to a lack of an available venue that meet FIFA standards.[13][14]
- 1 2 3 Lebanon are required to play all their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Hezbollah–Israel conflict.
- 1 2 3 Yemen are required to play their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Yemeni civil war.
- 1 2 Bhutan played two home matches at neutral venues after the Changlimithang Stadium no longer met AFC standards, as artificial surfaces were disallowed in major AFC competitions from August 2025.[15]
- ↑ Originally scheduled for 31 March 2026, the match was rescheduled for 4 June 2026 due to the 2026 Lebanon war.[17]
- 1 2 3 Syria played their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Syrian conflict.
- 1 2 3 Afghanistan played their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Afghan conflict.
- ↑ Afghanistan planned to play their home match against Myanmar in Bangladesh on 18 November 2025, but Myanmar refused to play in Bangladesh.[18] The AFC determined to postpone the match to 26 March 2026.[19]
- ↑ The match was held behind closed doors due to restrictions on large public gatherings by Pakistani government.[20]
- 1 2 Thủ Dầu Một was incorporated to Ho Chi Minh City in 1 July 2025.
- ↑ On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents.[21] One player, Hector Hevel played in the match against Nepal. On 5 March 2026, the CAS confirmed the penalties for which AFC overturned the game as a 3–0 victory for Nepal on 17 March 2026.[24]
- ↑ On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents.[21] All seven players played in the match against Vietnam. On 5 March 2026, the CAS confirmed the penalties for which AFC overturned the game as a 3–0 victory for Vietnam on 17 March 2026.[24]
- ↑ Match time was previously 19:30, but due to rain in Ho Chi Minh City, it was delayed for 30 minutes
- 1 2 3 Stadiums in Nepal do not meet AFC requirements, thus Nepal are required to play their home matches at a neutral venue.[25][26]
- ↑ The match between Laos v Vietnam was postponed to 19 November 2025 (originally 18 November 2025) due to reasons related to organization and travel of the host team.[27]
See also
References
- ↑ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". Asian Football Confederation. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "Asia's pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup™ 2027 confirmed". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ↑ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". Asian Football Confederation. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
- ↑ "FIFA suspends the Congolese Football Association and the Pakistan Football Federation". FIFA.com. FIFA. 6 February 2025.
- ↑ Lakhani, Faizan. "Pakistan ruled out of AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers due to Fifa suspension". thenews.com.pk. The News International. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ↑ "Pakistan soccer approves steps wanted by FIFA to lift international suspension". Associated Press. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
- ↑ Grafström, Mattias. "Lifting of the suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)" (PDF). FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ↑ "Asian Football Calendar (December 2024 – November 2025)". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 4 December 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2024.
- ↑ "FIFA Men's World Ranking – November 2024". FIFA.com. FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ↑ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2024 - Jun 2025)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation.
- ↑ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ↑ "AFC Asian Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia Competition Regulations" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 August 2024. p. 25.
- ↑ "Darwin hosts high-stakes international soccer match for the first time". ABC News. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ↑ "Football Federation of Timor-Leste President discusses new stadium with Gianni Infantino". FIFA.com. FIFA. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ↑ "BREAKING: Not Just Nepal — Bhutan's Changlimithang Stadium Also Banned by AFC". City Sports Network. 28 September 2025 – via Facebook.
- ↑ "3rd Round". AFC. Retrieved 19 March 2026.
- ↑ "Update on AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round". the-afc.com. Asian Football Confederation. 31 March 2026. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
- ↑ "Bangladesh to host Nepal after Myanmar refuse to play". New Age. 29 October 2025. Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
- ↑ "AFC Asian Cup - Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Preview". Asian Football Confederation. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
- ↑ "Pakistan–Myanmar AFC Qualifier to be held behind closed doors". The Nation. 27 March 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 "FIFA sanctions Football Association of Malaysia and seven players". FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
- ↑ "CAS partly amends sanction against seven players falsely made eligible to play for Malaysia" (PDF). Court of Arbitration for Sport. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 March 2026.
- ↑ "MEDIA RELEASE: FAM ACKNOWLEDGE DECISION FROM THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS)". Football Association of Malaysia. 6 March 2026. Archived from the original on 6 March 2026. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- 1 2 3 "List of the AFC DEC Decision 17 March 2026" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 17 March 2026. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2026.
2. The AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Nepal which took place on 25 March 2025 is forfeited by Malaysia. Accordingly, applying Article 25.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, Malaysia shall be considered to have lost the AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Nepal which took place on 25 March 2025 by a score of 0-3. 3. The AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Vietnam which took place on 10 June 2025 is forfeited by Malaysia. Accordingly, applying Article 25.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, Malaysia shall be considered to have lost the AFC Asian Cup 2027 (Qualifiers Final Round) match between Malaysia and Vietnam which took place on 10 June 2025 by a score of 0-3.
- ↑ "Nepal mượn sân Thống Nhất đá vòng loại Asian Cup". Vnexpress. 10 September 2025.
- ↑ "Bukit Jalil to host Malaysia's 'away' clash with Nepal". NST Online. 16 September 2025.
- ↑ "Change the schedule of the match between Laos and Vietnam". vietnam.vn. Znews. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.