The 22nd edition of the tournament will kick off on 21 November 2022, when Qatar – the reigning champions of Asia – take their FIFA World Cup bow at the tournament’s first match at the stunning 60,000-seat Al Bayt Stadium (lead photo) in Al Khor City.

Qatar will host the most compact version of the tournament in modern history. All eight stadiums are within 50km of central Doha, while fans, players and officials will be able to stay in one accommodation throughout the event, which will conclude with the final at the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium on 18 December 2022 – which is also Qatar National Day.

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While Jeonbuk have already secured their place in the Round of 16 as group winners, Gamba face an uncertain path where even three points against the K League champions may not be enough.

With a tally of nine points from a five-match campaign which was dented by two draws against Chiangrai United, a win will put Masanobu Matsunami’s side in the mix to advance as one of the best three runners-up in the East Zone, but the results in other groups will also be pivotal.

Both teams had been eliminated from the competition earlier, with the Singaporean side yet to collect a point on their maiden campaign and Chiangrai United sitting third, four points adrift of second-placed Gamba Osaka.

Ulsan stretched their AFC Champions League winning streak to 14 matches, sitting comfortably at the top of the group with 15 points, three ahead of Thailand's BG Pathum United.

While Ulsan are almost sure of advancing to the Round of 16 even if they were to lose to BG Pathum United on Sunday, Hinterseer wants only a win.

The red-hot Japanese champions were fuelled by a clinical Leandro Damiao hat-trick as they qualified for the Round of 16 as group winners, leaving Daegu with a job to do if they are to join them.

With nine points from five matches but having piled on 18 goals and conceded only six, the K League outfit are still in a strong position to qualify as one of the three best runners-up teams in the East Zone, but that possibility relies heavily on their ability to get three points against United City FC of the Philippines.

The 42 teams were drawn into 11 groups with 15 spots available at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 with Uzbekistan having already confirmed their place as hosts, the first time the tournament will be staged in the Central Zone.

The draw divided the teams into two Regions – the West Region comprising 23 West, South and Central Participating Teams as well as the East Region, which consists of 19 East and ASEAN Participating Teams.

The Qualifiers are scheduled for October 23 to 31, 2021 with the 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams sealing their qualification to the Finals.