2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round

2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification – third round
Tournament details
Dates25 March 2025 – 31 March 2026
Teams24 (from 1 confederation)
Tournament statistics
Matches played59
Goals scored177 (3 per match)
Attendance588,757 (9,979 per match)
Top scorer Nasser Al-Gahwashi (10 goals)
← 2023
2031 →
All statistics correct as of 19 November 2025.

The third round[note 1] of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification is played from 25 March 2025 to 31 March 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) will participate in the third round to compete for the final six slots in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.[2]

The 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four teams to play home-and-away round-robin matches. Only the group winners of each group will qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, where they will join 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.

FIFA Rankings as of 28 November 2024[9]
Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
  1.  Syria (95)
  2.  Thailand (97)
  3.  Tajikistan (104)
  4.  Lebanon (112)
  5.  Vietnam (116)
  6.  India (127)
  1.  Malaysia (132)
  2.  Turkmenistan (143)
  3.  Philippines (149)
  4.  Afghanistan (155)
  5.  Hong Kong (156)
  6.  Yemen (158)
  1.  Singapore (161)
  2.  Maldives (162)
  3.  Chinese Taipei (165)
  4.  Myanmar (167)
  5.    Nepal (175)
  6.  Bhutan (182)
  1.  Brunei (184)
  2.  Bangladesh (185)
  3.  Laos (186)
  4.  Timor-Leste (196)
  5.  Pakistan (198)
  6.  Sri Lanka (200)

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

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]

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. 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;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Penalty shoot-out if only two teams are tied and they meet in the last round of the group;
  8. 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);
  9. Drawing of lots.

Groups

Group A

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Tajikistan 5 4 1 0 13 2 +11 13 2027 AFC Asian Cup 31 Mar 1–0 2–0
2  Philippines 5 4 1 0 15 5 +10 13 2–2 3–1 4–1
3  Timor-Leste (E) 5 1 0 4 3 13 −10 3 0–5 1–4 1–0
4  Maldives (E) 5 0 0 5 1 12 −11 0 0–3 0–2 31 Mar
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2025. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Tajikistan 1–0 Timor-Leste
Hanonov 3' Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 8,520
Referee: Seyed Vahid Kazemi (Iran)
Philippines 4–1 Maldives
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 3,334
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)
Timor-Leste 1–0 Maldives
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 1,048
Referee: Songkran Bunmeekiart (Thailand)
Philippines 2–2 Tajikistan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 10,854
Referee: Hasan Akrami (Iran)
Timor-Leste 1–4 Philippines
Freitas 47' Report
Report (AFC)		 Kristensen 15', 31', 49', 56'
Attendance: 1,356
Referee: Yudi Nurcahya (Indonesia)
Tajikistan 2–0 Maldives
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 5,250
Referee: Zayniddin Alimov (Kyrgyzstan)
Philippines 3–1 Timor-Leste
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 8,753
Referee: Torphong Somsing (Thailand)
Maldives 0–3 Tajikistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 3,120
Timor-Leste 0–5 Tajikistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 538
Referee: Adam Kersey (Australia)
Maldives 0–2 Philippines
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 1,591
Referee: Ahmed Khalil (Bahrain)
Maldives v Timor-Leste
Tajikistan v Philippines

Group B

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Lebanon 5 4 1 0 14 0 +14 13 2027 AFC Asian Cup 31 Mar 5–0 2–0
2  Yemen 5 3 2 0 18 1 +17 11 0–0 9–0 7–1
3  Brunei (E) 5 1 0 4 2 20 −18 3 0–3 0–2 2–1
4  Bhutan (E) 5 0 1 4 2 15 −13 1 0–4 0–0 31 Mar
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2025. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Bhutan 0–0 Yemen
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 4,700
Lebanon 5–0 Brunei
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 282
Referee: Venkatesh Ramachandran (India)
Brunei 2–1 Bhutan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 3,158
Referee: Mongkolchai Pechsri (Thailand)
Yemen 0–0 Lebanon
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 1,512
Referee: Mahmood Al-Majarafi (Oman)
Brunei 0–2 Yemen
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 1,529
Referee: Ngô Duy Lân (Vietnam)
Lebanon 2–0 Bhutan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 366
Referee: Morteza Mansourian (Iran)
Bhutan 0–4 Lebanon
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 397
Referee: Zhang Lei (China)
Yemen 9–0 Brunei
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 755
Referee: Meder Tayçiev (Kyrgyzstan)
Brunei 0–3 Lebanon
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 2,667
Referee: Hasan Akrami (Iran)
Yemen 7–1 Bhutan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 350
Referee: Tam Ping Wun (Hong Kong)
Lebanon v Yemen
Bhutan v Brunei

Group C

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Singapore (Q) 5 3 2 0 7 4 +3 11 2027 AFC Asian Cup 0–0 31 Mar 1–1
2  Hong Kong (E) 5 2 2 1 7 6 +1 8 1–2 1–1 1–0
3  Bangladesh (E) 5 1 2 2 6 7 −1 5 1–2 3–4 1–0
4  India (E) 5 0 2 3 2 5 −3 2 1–2 31 Mar 0–0
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2025. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Singapore 0–0 Hong Kong
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 8,064
Referee: Chae Sang-hyeop (South Korea)
India 0–0 Bangladesh
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 14,952
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)
Hong Kong 1–0 India
Pereira 90+4' (pen.) Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 42,570
Referee: Ahmad Alaeddin (Lebanon)
Bangladesh 1–2 Singapore
Rakib 67' Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 21,317
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Singapore 1–1 India
Ikhsan 45+1' Report
Report (AFC)		 Rahim 90'
Attendance: 13,232
Referee: Shen Yinhao (China)
Bangladesh 3–4 Hong Kong
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 22,343
Referee: Saud Al-Samhan (Kuwait)
Hong Kong 1–1 Bangladesh
Orr 36' (pen.) Report
Report (AFC)		 Rakib 84'
Attendance: 45,489
India 1–2 Singapore
Chhangte 14' Report
Report (AFC)		 Song Ui-young 44', 58'
Attendance: 2,036
Referee: Mohamad Issa (Lebanon)
Hong Kong 1–2 Singapore
Orr 15' Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 47,762
Bangladesh 1–0 India
Morsalin 11' Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 23,712
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
Singapore v Bangladesh
India v Hong Kong

Group D

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Turkmenistan 5 4 0 1 10 5 +5 12[a] 2027 AFC Asian Cup 3–1 2–1 3–1
2  Thailand 5 4 0 1 14 4 +10 12[a] 31 Mar 1–0 2–0
3  Sri Lanka (E) 5 2 0 3 5 8 −3 6 1–0 0–4 3–1
4  Chinese Taipei (E) 5 0 0 5 4 16 −12 0 1–2 1–6 31 Mar
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2025. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Turkmenistan 3, Thailand 0.
Chinese Taipei 1–2 Turkmenistan
Kouamé 63' Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 1,897
Referee: Abdulhadi Al-Ruaile (Qatar)
Thailand 1–0 Sri Lanka
Gustavsson 43' Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 17,207
Referee: Zhang Lei (China)
Sri Lanka 3–1 Chinese Taipei
 Report
Report (AFC)
  • Huang Wei-chieh 70'
Attendance: 3,710
Referee: Daniel Elder (Australia)
Turkmenistan 3–1 Thailand
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 15,545
Referee: Ismaeel Habib Ali (Bahrain)
Sri Lanka 1–0 Turkmenistan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 2,440
Referee: Tam Ping Wun (Hong Kong)
Thailand 2–0 Chinese Taipei
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 13,970
Referee: Amir Arab Baraghi (Iran)
Chinese Taipei 1–6 Thailand
  • Kuo Po-wei 46'
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 4,563
Referee: Omar Al Yaqoubi (Oman)
Turkmenistan 2–1 Sri Lanka
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Asker Nadjafaliyev (Uzbekistan)
Sri Lanka 0–4 Thailand
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 2,910
Referee: Sultan Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)
Turkmenistan 3–1 Chinese Taipei
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: Yousif Saeed Hasan (Iraq)
Chinese Taipei v Sri Lanka
Thailand v Turkmenistan

Group E

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Syria (Q) 5 5 0 0 16 1 +15 15 2027 AFC Asian Cup 5–1 31 Mar 2–0
2  Myanmar (E) 4 2 0 2 4 9 −5 6 0–3 2–1 1–0
3  Afghanistan (E) 4 0 2 2 2 4 −2 2 0–1 26 Mar 1–1
4  Pakistan (E) 5 0 2 3 1 9 −8 2 0–5 31 Mar 0–0
Updated to match(es) played on 18 November 2025. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Myanmar 2–1 Afghanistan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 6,500
Referee: Yahya Al-Balushi (Oman)
Syria 2–0 Pakistan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 1,217
Myanmar 1–0 Pakistan
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 22,000
Referee: Zhang Lei (China)
Afghanistan 0–1 Syria
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 532
Referee: Yousif Saeed Hasan (Iraq)
Pakistan 0–0 Afghanistan
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 7,375
Referee: Mohammed Al-Shammari (Qatar)
Syria 5–1 Myanmar
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 198
Referee: Mohammad Mofeed (Jordan)
Myanmar 0–3 Syria
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 3,514
Referee: Tuan Yaasin Hanafiah (Malaysia)
Afghanistan 1–1 Pakistan
  • Hanifi 5'
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 750
Referee: Abdullo Davlatov (Tajikistan)
Pakistan 0–5 Syria
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 7,124
Referee: Virendha Rai (Bhutan)
Afghanistan v Myanmar
Report
Referee: Ngô Duy Lân (Vietnam)
Pakistan v Myanmar
Syria v Afghanistan

Group F

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Vietnam (Q) 5 5 0 0 14 1 +13 15 2027 AFC Asian Cup 31 Mar 5–0 3–1
2  Malaysia[a] (E) 5 3 0 2 9 7 +2 9 0–3[a] 5–1 0–3[a]
3  Laos (E) 5 1 0 4 3 16 −13 3[b] 0–2 0–3 2–1
4    Nepal (E) 5 1 0 4 5 7 −2 3[b] 0–1 0–1 31 Mar
Updated to match(es) played on 17 March 2026. Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated
Notes:
  1. ^ a b c 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.[18] On 5 March, CAS dismissed FAM's appeal on the falsified documents case.[19][20] 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.[21]
  2. ^ a b Head-to-head points: Laos 3, Nepal 0.
Vietnam 5–0 Laos
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 11,068
Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates)
Malaysia 0–3
Awarded[note 11]		   Nepal
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 7,895
Laos 2–1   Nepal
 Report
Report (AFC)		 Dangi 73' (pen.)
Attendance: 5,123
Referee: Nivon Robesh Gamini (Sri Lanka)
Malaysia 0–3
Awarded[note 12]		 Vietnam
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 61,512
Referee: Hussein Abo Yehia (Lebanon)
Laos 0–3 Malaysia
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 5,289
Referee: Wiwat Jumpao-on (Thailand)
Vietnam 3–1   Nepal
 Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 8,597
Referee: Choi Hyun-jai (South Korea)
Nepal   0–1 Vietnam
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 6,870
Referee: Mohamed Khaled (Bahrain)
Malaysia 5–1 Laos
 Report
Report (AFC)
  • Chanthavixay 19'
Attendance: 18,901
Referee: Ahmed Eisa Darwish (United Arab Emirates)
Nepal   0–1 Malaysia
Report
Report (AFC)		 Faisal 56'
Attendance: 14,243
Referee: Kim Dae-yong (South Korea)
Laos 0–2 Vietnam
Report
Report (AFC)
Attendance: 16,250
Referee: Ali Reda (Lebanon)
Vietnam v Malaysia
Report
Nepal   v Laos
Report

Goalscorers

There have been 177 goals scored in 59 matches, for an average of 3 goals per match (as of 19 November 2025).

10 goals

8 goals

6 goals

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

1 goal

1 own goal

Notes

  1. ^ Referred to as the final round
  2. ^ 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]
  3. ^ a b c Timor-Leste played their home games outside the country, due to a lack of an available venue that meet FIFA standards.[13][14]
  4. ^ a b c Lebanon are required to play all their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Israel invasion of Lebanon
  5. ^ a b c Yemen are required to play their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Yemeni civil war.
  6. ^ Neutral venue
  7. ^ a b c Syria played their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Syrian civil war.
  8. ^ a b c Afghanistan played their home matches at a neutral venue due to the ongoing Afghan conflict.
  9. ^ Afghanistan planned to play their home match against Myanmar in Bangladesh on 18 November 2025, but Myanmar refused to play in Bangladesh.[16] The AFC determined to postpone the match to 26 March 2026.[17]
  10. ^ a b Thủ Dầu Một was incorporated to Ho Chi Minh City in 1 July 2025.
  11. ^ On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents.[18] 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.[21]
  12. ^ On 26 September 2025, FIFA sanctioned the Football Association of Malaysia and seven players for using falsified eligibility documents.[18] 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.[21]
  13. ^ Match time was previously 19:30, but due to rain in Ho Chi Minh City, it was delayed for 30 minutes
  14. ^ a b c Stadiums in Nepal do not meet AFC requirements, thus Nepal are required to play their home matches at a neutral venue.[22][23]
  15. ^ 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.[24]

See also

References

  1. ^ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". Asian Football Confederation. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Asia's pathway to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup™ 2027 confirmed". the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. Retrieved 2025-02-02.
  3. ^ "AFC Competitions Committee approves key decisions on reformatted competitions". Asian Football Confederation. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  4. ^ "FIFA suspends the Congolese Football Association and the Pakistan Football Federation". FIFA.com. FIFA. 6 February 2025.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "Pakistan soccer approves steps wanted by FIFA to lift international suspension". Associated Press. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  7. ^ Grafström, Mattias. "Lifting of the suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF)" (PDF). FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "FIFA Men's World Ranking – November 2024". FIFA.com. FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  10. ^ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2024 - Jun 2025)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  11. ^ "AFC Competitions Calendar (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation.
  12. ^ "AFC Asian Cup 2027 Saudi Arabia Competition Regulations" (PDF). the-AFC.com. Asian Football Confederation. 9 August 2024. p. 25.
  13. ^ "Darwin hosts high-stakes international soccer match for the first time". ABC News. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  14. ^ "Football Federation of Timor-Leste President discusses new stadium with Gianni Infantino". FIFA.com. FIFA. 21 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  15. ^ https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_asian_cup/fixtures__standings.html
  16. ^ "Bangladesh to host Nepal after Myanmar refuse to play". New Age. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  17. ^ "AFC Asian Cup - Qualifiers - Final Round: MD5 Preview". Asian Football Confederation. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 27 November 2025.
  18. ^ a b c "FIFA sanctions Football Association of Malaysia and seven players". FIFA.com. FIFA. Retrieved 28 September 2025.
  19. ^ "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 2026-03-05.
  20. ^ "MEDIA RELEASE: FAM ACKNOWLEDGE DECISION FROM THE COURT OF ARBITRATION FOR SPORT (CAS)". Football Association of Malaysia. 2026-03-06. Archived from the original on 2026-03-06. Retrieved 2026-03-06.
  21. ^ a b c "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 2026-03-17. 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.
  22. ^ "Nepal mượn sân Thống Nhất đá vòng loại Asian Cup". Vnexpress. 10 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Bukit Jalil to host Malaysia's 'away' clash with Nepal". NST Online. 16 September 2025.
  24. ^ "Change the schedule of the match between Laos and Vietnam". vietnam.vn. Znews. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 18 November 2025.
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