AFC Asian Cup
As the teams plan their preparations for the January 7-February 5, 2027 continental showpiece, the-AFC.com listened to what several head coaches had to say after the glittering Final Draw at the historical Salwa Palace in Riyadh.
Group A: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait , Oman, Palestine
Geogios Donis (Saudi Arabia, pictured below)
“Generally, the draw was very interesting. We respect all opponents and we have to be ready for the tournament. We have some priorities now which is to build the team with my philosophy. It will be normal to have a lot of focus on the team because we are the hosts but we have the experience to manage that. It’s nice to have Palestine as the first opponent, we know their troubles but we will be focused to start well.”
Helio Sousa (Kuwait)
“I think it is a balanced group with Saudi Arabia maybe slightly ahead. The other three teams are near in terms of quality. It will be hard games but we will go with our goal of reaching the next stage of the competition but we have time to improve so that we can be ready.”
Geogios Donis (Saudi Arabia, pictured below)
“Generally, the draw was very interesting. We respect all opponents and we have to be ready for the tournament. We have some priorities now which is to build the team with my philosophy. It will be normal to have a lot of focus on the team because we are the hosts but we have the experience to manage that. It’s nice to have Palestine as the first opponent, we know their troubles but we will be focused to start well.”
Helio Sousa (Kuwait)
“I think it is a balanced group with Saudi Arabia maybe slightly ahead. The other three teams are near in terms of quality. It will be hard games but we will go with our goal of reaching the next stage of the competition but we have time to improve so that we can be ready.”
Tarek Sektioui (Oman)
“I know the other teams in the group, having watched them during the (FIFA) Arab Cup. I believe we will be playing in one of the toughest groups. There are no easy matches in a tournament like this. Every team we face must be respected, and we must work hard both on and off the field to make a difference.”
Ihab Abu Jazar (Palestine)
“Our group is tough as it has three Arab teams. What matters to us is that we will be playing the opening match, which is very important for us. The chances are equal for all the teams in the group. We played against Oman and Kuwait in the (FIFA) World Cup Qualifiers, and we also played against Saudi Arabia in the (FIFA) Arab Cup. The group is difficult as all the teams know each other well.”
“I know the other teams in the group, having watched them during the (FIFA) Arab Cup. I believe we will be playing in one of the toughest groups. There are no easy matches in a tournament like this. Every team we face must be respected, and we must work hard both on and off the field to make a difference.”
Ihab Abu Jazar (Palestine)
“Our group is tough as it has three Arab teams. What matters to us is that we will be playing the opening match, which is very important for us. The chances are equal for all the teams in the group. We played against Oman and Kuwait in the (FIFA) World Cup Qualifiers, and we also played against Saudi Arabia in the (FIFA) Arab Cup. The group is difficult as all the teams know each other well.”
Group B: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea, Jordan
Jamal Sellami (Jordan)
“All the groups are strong, and the most important thing is to respect our opponents, focus on each match, and earn as many points as possible to qualify. We will play against different styles of football, and each team has its own strengths. In modern football, the differences are minimal, so every match will be difficult.”
“All the groups are strong, and the most important thing is to respect our opponents, focus on each match, and earn as many points as possible to qualify. We will play against different styles of football, and each team has its own strengths. In modern football, the differences are minimal, so every match will be difficult.”
Group C: IR Iran, Syria, Krygyz Republic, China PR
Ardeshir Ghalenoei (IR Iran)
“It’s unfortunate that we haven’t been champions for a long time. Our team is in a good condition, we are one of the teams that qualified earliest for the World Cup and we hope to perform well there then get ready for the Asian Cup. After the World Cup, we are going to have a generational change and I hope we can be a worthy representative of the people of Iran.”
Jose Lana (Syria)
“Our objective is to try to do our best and see what we can do in this hard group but we will do our best to win every match. I have confidence in my players. It’s going to be very hard with those teams but we will do our best and see what happens.”
Ardeshir Ghalenoei (IR Iran)
“It’s unfortunate that we haven’t been champions for a long time. Our team is in a good condition, we are one of the teams that qualified earliest for the World Cup and we hope to perform well there then get ready for the Asian Cup. After the World Cup, we are going to have a generational change and I hope we can be a worthy representative of the people of Iran.”
Jose Lana (Syria)
“Our objective is to try to do our best and see what we can do in this hard group but we will do our best to win every match. I have confidence in my players. It’s going to be very hard with those teams but we will do our best and see what happens.”
Robert Prosinecki (Kyrgyz Republic)
“Each group is difficult, and so are ours. They are teams that play good football like Iran but we also have Syria and China. We hope that we can achieve something. We have plenty of time until the tournament and we will prepare well to get good results.”
Shao Jiayi (China PR, pictured above)
“It doesn’t matter who the opponents are, they are all tough teams to play. To us, every match every opponent will be a challenge but at the same time, this is a chance for us so we have to prepare well in this coming half a year so that the team can come into the tournament in the best shape possible.”
“Each group is difficult, and so are ours. They are teams that play good football like Iran but we also have Syria and China. We hope that we can achieve something. We have plenty of time until the tournament and we will prepare well to get good results.”
Shao Jiayi (China PR, pictured above)
“It doesn’t matter who the opponents are, they are all tough teams to play. To us, every match every opponent will be a challenge but at the same time, this is a chance for us so we have to prepare well in this coming half a year so that the team can come into the tournament in the best shape possible.”
Group D: Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore
Graham Arnold (Iraq)
“I’ve never coached against my home nation before but the good part is that it’s not the knockout phase, hopefully we can both qualify for the next round. We need to keep building up the belief with the support of the fans and I believe we can do a good job.”
Graham Arnold (Iraq)
“I’ve never coached against my home nation before but the good part is that it’s not the knockout phase, hopefully we can both qualify for the next round. We need to keep building up the belief with the support of the fans and I believe we can do a good job.”
Gavin Lee (Singapore, pictured above)
“The qualification united a lot of people in the country and hopefully we can continue to sustain the growth and use this platform to inspire the new generation. Coming into this competition, we know there won’t be any easy group. Now we go back to study the group, study the opponents and prepare in the best possible manner. Our target is very clear, that is to perform and play in a way that the people back home can be proud of us.”
“The qualification united a lot of people in the country and hopefully we can continue to sustain the growth and use this platform to inspire the new generation. Coming into this competition, we know there won’t be any easy group. Now we go back to study the group, study the opponents and prepare in the best possible manner. Our target is very clear, that is to perform and play in a way that the people back home can be proud of us.”
Group E: Korea Republic, UAE, Vietnam, Lebanon/Yemen
Cosmin Olaroiu (UAE, pictured below)
“The tournament brings together the best teams in Asia so it’s hard to say which group is easy or difficult. Every group will be difficult as teams will come prepared. It’s a challenge that will take a lot of sacrifices and work. The team has to manage the emotion and mental strength to achieve our dream which starts today. In this kind of competition, you have to surpass yourself to go far in the tournament. Korea Republic have the history, Vietnam always create surprises, then we’ll see who will be the last team.”
Cosmin Olaroiu (UAE, pictured below)
“The tournament brings together the best teams in Asia so it’s hard to say which group is easy or difficult. Every group will be difficult as teams will come prepared. It’s a challenge that will take a lot of sacrifices and work. The team has to manage the emotion and mental strength to achieve our dream which starts today. In this kind of competition, you have to surpass yourself to go far in the tournament. Korea Republic have the history, Vietnam always create surprises, then we’ll see who will be the last team.”
Kim Sang-sik (Vietnam)
“All three teams (we will face) are strong teams but if we prepare well, we must believe that we can achieve good results against them. It won’t be easy, especially against Korea Republic, but if we can create a good formation, good mindset and good teamwork, then I believe we can go far.”
“All three teams (we will face) are strong teams but if we prepare well, we must believe that we can achieve good results against them. It won’t be easy, especially against Korea Republic, but if we can create a good formation, good mindset and good teamwork, then I believe we can go far.”
Group F: Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia
Julen Lopetegui (Qatar)
“We are optimistic but understand the qualities of our opponents and we will play in a very tough group. Japan are the main favourites, Indonesia have improved a lot, and so have Thailand. It’s going to be a tough and balanced group, now we have a lot of work to do.”
Julen Lopetegui (Qatar)
“We are optimistic but understand the qualities of our opponents and we will play in a very tough group. Japan are the main favourites, Indonesia have improved a lot, and so have Thailand. It’s going to be a tough and balanced group, now we have a lot of work to do.”
Anthony Hudson (Thailand, pictured above)
“It’s an exciting group. It’s a good group. Obviously some big teams in there. For us, it’s a great opportunity to play against some really good opponents and anything can happen. If you want to play in the Asian Cup, it’s great to meet a team like Japan. Our opening game against Qatar is a great game. Then you look at Indonesia who are improving, there’s a huge rivalry there.”
John Herdman (Indonesia)
“The expectation for Indonesia is to represent the country as the fans want to see us. They are the most passionate of fans and every time the players put on the jersey, we owe them everything we got. This tournament gives us a chance to do something special for them. Thailand are a strong team but every game in this group is huge.”
“It’s an exciting group. It’s a good group. Obviously some big teams in there. For us, it’s a great opportunity to play against some really good opponents and anything can happen. If you want to play in the Asian Cup, it’s great to meet a team like Japan. Our opening game against Qatar is a great game. Then you look at Indonesia who are improving, there’s a huge rivalry there.”
John Herdman (Indonesia)
“The expectation for Indonesia is to represent the country as the fans want to see us. They are the most passionate of fans and every time the players put on the jersey, we owe them everything we got. This tournament gives us a chance to do something special for them. Thailand are a strong team but every game in this group is huge.”
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