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Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Groups A-C

Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers - Know Your Teams: Groups A-C

Kuala Lumpur: The draw for the final round of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers was held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday.
As the teams start preparing for what promises to be a thrilling campaign, the-AFC.com takes a look at the cast in Group A, B and C, with only the group winners to advance to the Finals. 
Group A
Tajikistan
FIFA World Ranking: 104
Previous appearances: 1
2023 result: Quarter-finals
How they got there: Third in Round 2, Group G
Fun Fact: Tajikistan qualified for their debut at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 at the seventh time of trying
Philippines
FIFA World Ranking: 149
Previous Appearances: 1
2023 Result: Did not qualify
How they got there: Fourth in Round 2, Group F
Fun Fact: Philippines' debut at the 2019 edition ended with three defeats, with qualification secured at the 10th attempt
Maldives
FIFA World Ranking: 162
Previous appearances: Nil
How they got there: One of three best-ranked losing teams from Round 1 
Fun fact: This is Maldives' eighth qualification attempt
Timor-Leste
FIFA World Ranking: 196
Previous appearances: Nil
How they got there: Defeated Mongolia in playoff
Fun fact: This is Timor-Leste's third qualification attempt
Group B
Lebanon
FIFA World Ranking: 112
Previous appearances: 3
2023 result: Group Stage
How they got there: Third in Round 2, Group I
Fun Fact: Having made their inaugural appearance as hosts of the 2000 edition, Lebanon will be seeking to qualify for a third consecutive appearance at the Finals 

Yemen
FIFA World Ranking: 158
Previous appearances: 2 (South Yemen qualified for 1976 Finals)
2023 result: Did not qualify
How they got there: Third in Round 2, Group H
Fun fact: Yemen's appearance at the 2019 Finals ended with three defeats with no goals scored and 10 conceded
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Bhutan
FIFA World Ranking: 182
Previous Appearances: Nil 
How they got there: One of three best-ranked losing teams from Round 1 
Fun fact: This is Bhutan's seventh qualification campaign

Brunei Darussalam
FIFA World Ranking: 184
Previous appearances: Nil
How they got there: Defeated Macau in playoff 
Fun Fact: Brunei Darussalam will hoping to come good at the eighth time of trying
Group C
India
FIFA World Ranking: 127
Previous appearances: 5
2023 result: Group Stage 
How they got there: Third in Round 2, Group A
Fun fact: Runners-up in 1964, India will attempt to qualify for a third successive Finals for the first time

Hong Kong, China
FIFA World Ranking: 156
Previous appearances: 4
2023 result: Group stage
How they got there: Fourth in Round 2, Group E
Fun fact: Hong Kong, China ended a 55-year absence by qualifying for Qatar 2023, with their campaign ending in the group stage
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Singapore
FIFA World Ranking: 161
Previous appearances: 1
2023 result: Did not qualify
How they got there: Fourth in Round 2, Group C
Fun fact: Singapore's only appearance at the Finals was as the hosts of the 1984 edition

Bangladesh
FIFA World Ranking: 185
Previous appearances: 1
2023 result: Did not qualify 
How they got there: Fourth in Round 2, Group I
Fun fact: Bangladesh's only previous appearance at the Finals ended in the group stage of the 1980 edition 

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