Tajikistan will become the 36th debutant in AFC Asian Cup™ history when they take to the field in Qatar, thanks to Shervoni Mabatshoev’s winning goal against Singapore on 11 June, 2022 during the third round of Qualifiers that sealed a historic qualification to Asia’s crown jewel.

 

The Dastai Muntakhabi, who had previously fallen short at the same qualifying stage for the 2019 edition, are the only new face at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ and their qualification means that since the competition’s inception in 1956, only two editions have not been graced by at least one debutant.

 

Only three of the remaining 23 teams were not involved in the 2019 showpiece in the UAE – Indonesia, Hong Kong, China and Malaysia. While the Garuda and Harimau Malaya both last took part in 2007, Hong Kong, China’s participation is their first since the fourth edition that took place in 1968. 

 

At the opposite end of the spectrum, IR Iran and Korea Republic will each be contesting their 15th AFC Asian Cup™, two more than China PR, who are second on the list. IR Iran have played the most games in Finals history with 68 and are also the only team to have lifted the trophy three times in a row (1968, 1972, 1976). Elsewhere, Japan, the tournament’s most successful side with four triumphs, and 2007 champions Iraq are the eighth and ninth teams to reach 10 AFC Asian Cup™ participations. 

 

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