2023 AFC Asian Cup Previews, Predictions & Betting Tips
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The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be the 18th edition of the premier international men’s football tournament in Asia and held in China. The AFC Asian Cup is held every four years and organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The winner of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup earns a place in the 2025 FIFA Confederations Cup.
AFC Asian Cup History
The AFC Asian Cup started in Hong Kong in 1954 and is the second oldest continental football tournament in the world after the Copa América.
The Asian Cup was held every four years from 1956-2004, with the AFC deciding to hold the next edition in 2007 to avoid clashing with the Summer Olympic Games and the UEFA European Football Championships.
Where is the 2023 AFC Asian Cup being played?
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup host nation will be held in China after previously hosting the 2004 Asian Cup.
When is the 2023 AFC Asian Cup?
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup is scheduled to he held in January 2023.
2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be contested by 24 teams for the second time in tournament history. The first AFC Asian Cup in 1956 featured four teams which grew to 16 nations from 2004 to 2015 and expanded to 24 nations in 2019.
Hosts China will automatically qualify with approximately 45 national teams going through a qualifying competition to determine the remaining 23 places. The qualification process will also play a role in the Asian qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Defending champions and 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar will have to compete in the qualifying stage for a place at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
What are the Groups at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup?
The six groups at the tournament will be decided after all 24 nations have qualified.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
What Stadiums will host matches at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup?
Twelve host cities were submitted in the bid, including seven new football stadiums that are planned to be built by the end of 2021. There are also renovation works planned for the existing stadiums. The new Pudong Football Stadium in Shanghai has been proposed to host the final and a semi-final. The Beijing National Stadium will host the other semi-final.
| City | Stadium | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Pudong Football Stadium | 33,765 |
| Beijing | Beijing National Stadium | 91,000 |
| Changsha | Helong Sports Center Stadium | 55,000 |
| Chengdu | Fenghuangshan Sports Center | TBA |
| Chongqing | Chongqing Liangjiang Football Match Centre Stadium | TBA |
| Dalian | Dalian Professional Football Stadium | TBA |
| Guangzhou | Tianhe Stadium | 54,856 |
| Hangzhou | Hangzhou Sports Park Stadium | 80,000 |
| Suzhou | Kunshan Sports Centre | TBA |
| Tianjin | Tianjin Olympic Center | 54,696 |
| Wuhan | Wuhan Tazi Lake Football Stadium | 40,000 |
| Xi’an | Shaanxi Province Stadium | TBA |
What is the format for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup?
The 24 nations will contest a group stage which consists of six groups of four teams. The top two teams in each group will advance to the round of 16 alongside the four best third-placed teams.
The knockout stage will feature 16 teams followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals and the AFC Asian Cup final.
Who has won the most AFC Asian Cups?
Japan are the most successful nation in the AFC Asian Cup having won four titles in 1992, 2000, 2004 and 2011. Saudi Arabia (1984, 1988, 1996) and Iran (1968, 1972, 1976) are next best with three titles each.
South Korea have won the AFC Asian Cup twice in 1956 and 1960 with Isreal (1964), Kuwait (1980), Iraq (2007), Australia (2015) and Qatar (2019) all winning once. Japan and Saudi Arabia dominated the AFC Asian Cup from 1984-2004 and have won seven of the last ten finals between them.
Australia joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2007 and finished runners-up in 2011. Australia hosted the AFC Asian Cup in 2015, the Socceroos winning the tournament following a 2-1 extra time victory against South Korea in the final.
Who are the favourites to win the 2023 AFC Asian Cup?
The odds for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup winner have not been released but the usual suspects are expected to dominate the betting market. Iran, South Korea, Japan and Australia will be prominent and defending champions Qatar could sneak into the top four if they continue to improve.
Who were the recent AFC Asian Cup Winners, Runners-Up & Hosts?
Year | Winners | Runners-Up | Hosts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | China | ||
| 2019 | Qatar | Japan | United Arab Emirates |
| 2015 | Australia | South Korea | Australia |
| 2011 | Japan | Australia | Qatar |
| 2007 | Iraq | Saudi Arabia | Indonesia / Malaysia / Thailand / Vietnam |
| 2004 | Japan | China | China |
| 2000 | Japan | Saudi Arabia | Lebanon |
| 1996 | Saudi Arabia | United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates |
| 1992 | Japan | Saudi Arabia | Japan |
| 1988 | Saudi Arabia | South Korea | Qatar |
| 1984 | Saudi Arabia | China | Singapore |
| 1980 | Kuwait | South Korea | Kuwait |
What tips will you have for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup?
We will have regular AFC Asian Cup football tips during the tournament including match bet tips (Win/Draw/Win), handicap tips and both teams to score (BTTS) tips. There is often plenty of value in the goalscorer markets, as evidenced by Qatar's Almoez Ali top scoring with nine goals at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
What are your latest 2023 AFC Asian Cup Betting Tips & Predictions?
We will release our 2023 AFC Asian Cup outright winner prediction and betting tips once all 24 nations have qualified. Check back in at free tips where we will also have selections in group stage betting markets.
