Four-time champions Japan and Iraq - winners in 2007 - are the early favourites given their AFC Asian Cup track record.

Indonesia and Vietnam, however, will be determined to be as competitive as they can in an enticing looking Group D. 

Japan
Previous Appearances: 9
Best Finish: Champions - 1992, 2000, 2004, 2011
2019 Result: Runners-up 
Fun Fact: Japan have only once failed to advance from the group stage - when they made their debut in 1988

Indonesia
Previous Appearances: 4
Best Finish: Group Stage 
2019 Result: Did not participate
Fun Fact: Indonesia’s previous four appearances were achieved consecutively between the 1996 and 2007 editions

Iraq
Previous Appearances: 9
Best Finish: Champions - 2007
2019 Result: Round of 16
Fun Fact: Besides winning the title in 2007, Iraq have twice finished fourth - in 1976 and 2015

Vietnam 
Previous Appearances: 4
Best Finish: Quarter-finals - 2007, 2019 
2019 Result: Quarter-finals 
Fun Fact: Vietnam reached the quarter-finals in their last two appearances in the Finals 

It is hard to see Korea Republic not advancing to the knockout stage, given their sterling record in the tournament.

The battle for the runners-up spot, however, will be intense with Bahrain and Malaysia renewing their rivalry from the final phase of qualifying while Jordan will also fancy their chances after their Round of 16 appearance in 2019. 

Korea Republic 
Previous Appearances: 14
Best Finish: Champions - 1956, 1960 
2019 Result: Quarter-finals 
Fun Fact: Korea Republic’s quarter-final exit in 2019 was their earliest exit in four editions, having emerged runners-up in 2015 and third in 2007 and 2011 

Malaysia
Previous Appearances: 3
Best Finish: Group Stage
2019 Result: Did not qualify 
Fun Fact: Malaysia’s last appearance in the Finals was when they co-hosted the 2007 edition

Jordan
Previous Appearances: 4
Best Finish: Quarter-finalists - 2004, 2011 
2019 Result: Round of 16
Fun Fact: Jordan will feature in the Finals for the fourth consecutive edition

Bahrain 
Previous Appearances: 6
Best Finish: Semi-finals - 2004 
2019 Result: Round of 16
Fun Fact: Bahrain will be appearing in the Finals for the sixth consecutive edition

Saudi Arabia are the obvious favourites and they will be determined to impress after their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 exploits which saw them sensationally defeating eventual champions Argentina in the group stage. 

Unless Saudi Arabia stumble, the race will be for the second automatic spot into the Round of 16 and this promises to be an exciting race with Thailand, Kyrgyz Republic and Oman all having made the knockout stage in 2019. 

Saudi Arabia
Previous Appearances: 11
Best Finish: Champions - 1984, 1988, 1996
2019 Result: Round of 16
Fun Fact: Besides their three title triumphs, Saudi Arabia emerged runners-up in 1992, 2000 and 2007

Thailand 
Previous Appearances: 7
Best Finish: Third - 1972 
2019 Result: Round of 16 
Fun Fact: Thailand’s appearance in the UAE 2019 Round of 16 was the first time they had advanced past the group stage in six appearances 

Kyrgyz Republic 
Previous Appearances: 1
Best Finish: Round of 16
2019 Result: Round of 16
Fun Fact: Kyrgyz Republic’s debut appearance at the Finals came at their fifth attempt, having first tried to qualify for the 1996 edition

Oman
Previous Appearances: 4
Best Finish: Round of 16
2019 Result: Round of 16
Fun Fact: Except for 2011, Oman have appeared in the Finals of every edition since 2004