Regional powers like Syria and Thailand will look to secure qualification to the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia
AFC Asian Cup 2027 is moving towards the final stages of its qualifications, with the third round qualifiers set to kick off on 25 March. The final qualifier stage will feature 24 teams looking to progress through to the continental tournament. (More Football News)
The third-round qualifiers will feature the three best losing teams from the first round, as well as third and fourth-ranked teams from the second round, and three winners from the play-off round.
The teams have been divided into six groups, and will play six matches to determine which six teams will join the 18 qualified ones for the 10th edition of the quadrennial event, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.
The first match of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 third-round qualifiers will take place on 22 March, and the final matchday will be on 31 March 2026.
Group A: Tajikistan Favourites After Strong Performances
Group A features Tajikistan, the Philippines, Maldives, and Timor-Leste, Tajikistan, ranked 104 in FIFA rankings, are the favourites to progress, after recent performances which include a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia. They take on minnows Timor-Leste on Matchday 1, while Philippines will play Maldives.
Group A Fixtures:
Tajikistan vs Timor-Leste –25 March at 4:30 pm IST
Philippines vs Maldives – 25 March at 4:30 pm IST
Timor-Leste vs Maldives – 10 June
Philippines vs Tajikistan – 10 June
Timor-Leste vs Philippines – 9 October
Tajikistan vs Maldives – 9 October
Philippines vs Timor-Leste – 14 October
Maldives vs Tajikistan – 14 October
Timor-Leste vs Tajikistan – 18 November
Maldives vs Philippines – 18 November
Tajikistan vs Philippines – 31 March 2026
Maldives vs Timor-Leste – 31 March 2026
Group B: Lebanon Aim For Qualification Against Yemen
Group B features Lebanon, Yemen, Bhutan, and Brunei Darussalam. 112-ranked Lebanon, who won the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, will be favourites to win this group. However, Yemen, back off a win against Bahrain and a narrow loss against Saudi Arabia, will fancy themselves to give stiff competition, taking on Bhutan in their first match. Lebanon face Brunei Darussalam.
Group B Fixtures:
Bhutan vs Yemen – 25 March at 6:30 pm IST
Lebanon vs Brunei – 25 March at 12:00 am IST (26 March)
Brunei vs Bhutan – 10 June
Yemen vs Lebanon – 10 June
Brunei vs Yemen – 9 October
Lebanon vs Bhutan – 9 October
Yemen vs Brunei – 14 October
Bhutan vs Lebanon – 14 October
Brunei vs Lebanon – 18 November
Yemen vs Bhutan – 18 November
Lebanon vs Yemen – 31 March 2026
Bhutan vs Brunei – 31 March 2026
Group C: India Aim For Strong Performances Against Neighbours
India have been pitted in Group C alongside Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh. Despite their ups and downs, India will fancy themselves as favourites to go through. However, Hong Kong are on a seven-match winning streak and will be a tough nut to crack. India will face Bangladesh in Matchday 1, and Singapore will take on Hong Kong.
Group C Fixtures:
Singapore vs Hong Kong – 25 March at 6:00 pm IST
India vs Bangladesh – 25 March at 7:00 pm IST
Bangladesh vs Singapore – 10 June
Hong Kong vs India – 10 June
Bangladesh vs Hong Kong – 9 October
India vs Singapore – 9 October
Hong Kong vs Bangladesh – 14 October
Singapore vs India – 14 October
Bangladesh vs India – 18 November
Hong Kong vs Singapore – 18 November
India vs Hong Kong – 31 March 2026
Singapore vs Bangladesh – 31 March 2026
Group D: Thailand Look To Dominate Opponents
Group D contains Thailand, Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei, and Sri Lanka. 97-ranked Thailand is one of the strongest teams in the qualification round, and will back themselves to see the other three teams in the group. Other than Chinese Taipei (one win, one loss), other teams have not played competitive matches in some time and will struggle against stronger opponents.
Group D Fixtures:
Chinese Taipei vs Turkmenistan – 25 March at 4:00 pm IST
Thailand vs Sri Lanka – 25 March at 6:00 pm IST
Sri Lanka vs Chinese Taipei – 10 June
Turkmenistan vs Thailand – 10 June
Sri Lanka vs Turkmenistan – 9 October
Thailand vs Chinese Taipei – 9 October
Turkmenistan vs Sri Lanka – 14 October
Chinese Taipei vs Thailand – 14 October
Sri Lanka vs Thailand – 18 November
Turkmenistan vs Chinese Taipei – 18 November
Thailand vs Turkmenistan – 31 March 2026
Chinese Taipei vs Sri Lanka – 31 March 2026
Group E: Syria Aim For Second Asian Cup Qualification
Group E contains Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Pakistan. 95-ranked Syria is by far the strongest team in the group, and they will have the chance to script history by securing back-to-back Asian Cup qualifications since making their first in 2024. They will face Pakistan in their first match, while Myanmar take on Afghanistan.
Group E Fixtures:
Myanmar vs Afghanistan – 25 March at 4:00 pm IST
Syria vs Pakistan – 25 March at 11:30 pm IST
Pakistan vs Myanmar – 10 June
Afghanistan vs Syria – 10 June
Pakistan vs Afghanistan – 9 October
Syria vs Myanmar – 9 October
Afghanistan vs Pakistan – 14 October
Myanmar vs Syria – 14 October
Pakistan vs Syria – 18 November
Afghanistan vs Myanmar – 18 November
Syria vs Afghanistan – 31 March 2026
Myanmar vs Pakistan – 31 March 2026
Group F: Vietnam, Malaysia To Compete For Qualification Spot
Group F contains Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, and Laos. Vietnam, with a FIFA ranking of 114, are the bookies’ bet to win against the weaker opponents in Laos and Nepal. The Golden Dragons are unbeaten in their last 10 matches, and will face Laos in the first match. However, Malaysia, despite their poor form of late, can give some fight starting with their first match against Nepal.
Group F Fixtures:
Vietnam vs Laos – 25 March at 6:00 pm IST
Malaysia vs Nepal – 25 March at 7:30 pm IST
Laos vs Nepal – 10 June
Malaysia vs Vietnam – 10 June
Laos vs Malaysia – 9 October
Vietnam vs Nepal – 9 October
Malaysia vs Laos – 14 October
Nepal vs Vietnam – 14 October
Laos vs Vietnam – 18 November
Nepal vs Malaysia – 18 November
Vietnam vs Malaysia – 31 March 2026
Nepal vs Laos – 31 March 2026
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Third Round Qualifiers – Live Streaming Details
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 Third Round Qualifiers matches of India will be shown on JioHotstar live, and it can be seen on the Star Sports Network channels live in India.
For the other teams, refer to the local channel guides for information about live streaming.