Saudi Arabia showed tremendous mental and physical strength to rebound from a 5-0 defeat to hosts Russia in their 2018 FIFA World Cup opener, losing narrowly to Uruguay (1-0) before ending their Group A campaign with a 2-1 win over Egypt, their first at the Finals in 24 years.

The steely end to the team's campaign saw head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi being retained to guide Saudi Arabia in the AFC Asian Cup, which was last won by the Green Falcons in 1996.

Saudi Arabia will have Lebanon, Qatar and DPR Korea for company in Group E of the showpiece event, which will run on January 5 to February 1.

As the excitement builds to the most eagerly-anticipated spectacle for football fans in the Continent, AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John was joined by H.E. Aref Hamed Al Awani, AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee at the AFC House in the Malaysian capital, where they held a giant replica ticket to showcase the biggest sporting event ever hosted in the UAE.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “The UAE has a proven track record of delivering world class sporting events to the highest level and we have been impressed with the progress made by the UAE Local Organising Committee as we enter the final preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™.

“The AFC, along with the LOC are fully committed towards providing the ultimate stage to showcase the undeniable talent in Asia. I am confident that by Bringing Asia Together, our teams, players and ultimately our passionate fans will experience a tournament of a lifetime.”

Over the next few months the LOC is seeking to recruit 100 enthusiastic community ambassadors to deliver the message of the approaching tournament. Known as ‘Playmakers’ after the important role of midfield players who act as the engines for their team, distributing and setting others up for success, the 100-strong group will share the tournament’s vision of ‘Bringing Asia Together’ and by doing so help to deliver the most accessible, connected and successful AFC Asian Cup in history.

Open now to candidates by contacting community@asiancup19.ae, the initiative is seeking the most social, passionate and influential people residing in the UAE from each of the 24 competing nations to officially sign-up and play a pivotal role as honorary envoys.

Amongst the first Playmakers to be recruited are Emirati ex-professional footballer Ahmed Al Balooshi, Jessica Cullen, a prodigious 15-year-old Australian footballer, and Japanese superfan Shinya Nakamura, demonstrating the variety of international fans and opportunities that exist for all members of society.

Saudi Arabia’s return to the global stage was an eagerly anticipated one after 12 years away from the lights. An opening day date with the hosts Russia only added to the excitement about the Green Falcons’ campaign.

Three matches and three points later, Saudi could not replicate their 1994 achievement of reaching the second round, but there were plenty of positives to ponder as they prepare for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in neighbouring UAE.

The expanded AFC Asian Cup 2019 will see 24 teams in action, which sets the stage for exciting matches in the Continental showpiece and the-AFC.com takes a look at Groups D, E and F.

While Asia’s top five teams have just finished their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia campaign, the rest have begun preparations for the Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1, 2019.

Adding to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will be several debutants and join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the cast for Groups A, B and C.

As excitement for the continental competition starts to build, the-AFC.com picks out some of the key statistics from a tournament which boasts a proud history dating all the way back to 1956.