Group A: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine
Saudi Arabia are the headline act but the hosts, aiming for a record-equalling fourth title, know they have a battle on their hands against familiar opponents.

All three booked their tickets to the continental showpiece through the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 route and this is testimony of the quality each team possess.

Kuwait won the title in 1980 and will be determined to make an impact after missing the last two editions while Oman will eye a knockout stage berth after suffering group stage elimination in 2023.

Palestine will be seeking to create more history after qualifying for the Round of 16 in the previous edition.

Group B: Uzbekistan, Bahrain, DPR Korea, Jordan
Uzbekistan will head into the tournament having made their FIFA World Cup debut and the Central Asian nation will feel this is their best chance of lifting the continental trophy.

Such has been the development pipeline that quality players have been coming through on a regular basis but Uzbekistan will know they can't take their Group B opponents lightly.

At their best, Bahrain can beat the best while DPR Korea are always difficult opponents to play against.

Jordan, meanwhile, will also be buzzing after having made their FIFA World Cup debut and will be determined to go one better after their historic runners-up finish in 2023.

Group C: IR Iran, Syria, Kyrgyz Republic, China PR
Head coach Ardeshir Ghalenoei admitted that it hurts that Islamic Republic of Iran haven't added to their three AFC Asian Cup titles but the tactician will know that his side have to hit the ground running at Saudi Arabia 2027 if that wait is to end.

Drawn in Group B, Iran will have to contend with three teams equally eager to enjoy extended runs with Syria having achieved their best ever by advancing to the Round of 16 in the last edition and having qualified for the Finals with a perfect record in Round 3.

Kyrgyz Republic created history by advancing to the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers and will be seeking to progress further than the Round of 16 stage they graced in their continental debut in 2019.

China PR will be equally focused on impressing after a difficult period which has seen them struggling against the continent's best with Saudi Arabia 2027 the perfect platform for them to regain their lustre.

Group D: Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore
Australia and Iraq, given their quality and experience, will be the obvious favourites to fight for the top two spots.

Both will be seeking a second title, with Australia having tasted glory in 2015 and Iraq in 2007.

Standing in their way will be two teams appearing on the continental stage for the second time.

Tajikistan made the quarter-finals in their debut at Qatar 2023 while Singapore have qualified on merit for the first time - both will be determined to hold their own against their more-fancied opponents.

Group E: Korea Republic, UAE, Vietnam, Lebanon/Yemen
Korea Republic will feel this is the edition in which their long wait for a third title will end, having emerged champions in 1956 and 1960.

Much hurt has been suffered since, with their journey ending in the semi-finals at Qatar 2023 and advancing to the next stage - on paper at least - seems a routine task but the East Asian side will not make the mistake of underestimating their Group E opponents.

United Arab Emirates are always slugging it out at the top of Asian football while Vietnam will be eager to stamp their mark after suffering group stage exit in the last edition.

Either Lebanon or Yemen will be the fourth team in the group and both can be counted on to provide stiff opposition to their higher ranked opponents.

Group F: Japan, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia
Two teams who have six AFC Asian Cup titles between them will be the obvious favourites to advance from Group F.

It will be a major shock if four-time winners Japan do not take one of the two automatic spots, given that they can hold their own against the likes of Brazil and England.

Qatar are seeking to become just the second team to clinch a hat-trick of AFC Asian Cup titles and will head into the tournament with the added experience of having featured in back-to-back editions of the FIFA World Cup.

That - it would seem - leave Thailand and Indonesia fighting for a third-place finish that could earn a Round of 16 spot but the Southeast Asian sides cannot be underestimated.

Indonesia showed their promise in the AFC Asian Qualifiers by defeating the likes of Saudi Arabia while Thailand will be determined to carry their regional prowess onto the continental stage.