Asia’s 24 top teams will compete for the coveted Continental prize from January 5 to February 1 in 2019 and as part of efforts to better engage and excite Asia’s passionate fans, the match schedule has been established taking into consideration the time zones across the five AFC regions.

It means the majority of matches involving teams in the East and ASEAN zones are scheduled to commence at 3:00pm and 5:30pm, ahead of the last 8:00pm Group Stage kick-off.

The Al Nahyan Stadium will host its first match in style when Thailand take on India in Group A on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 5:30pm UAE time. The third stadium in Abu Dhabi - Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium – will take centre-stage on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 8:00pm with Asia’s top ranked side Islamic Republic of Iran taking on Yemen in Group D’s opening match.

Australia’s title defence opener against Jordan will be the first Group B match in Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on January 6, 2019 at 3:00pm and the city’s second stadium - Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium - will host its first match between China PR and Asian Cup debutants Kyrgyz Republic in Group C on January 7, 2019 at 3:00pm.

Sharjah Stadium, the sole venue in the Emirate of Sharjah, will welcome the competition when Syria take on Palestine in Group B on January 6, 2019 at 8:00pm.

Dubai’s Rashid Stadium will be the stage for the Group E opener between Saudi Arabia and DPR Korea on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 8:00pm with Korea Republic and the Philippines opening their Group C campaign at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 5:30pm.

The ultimate champions of Asia will be crowned on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 6pm UAE time at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

In a grand spectacle at the United Arab Emirates Burj Khalifa, hosts UAE, who were positioned in first place in Group A, will kick-off Asia’s most prestigious tournament against Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 5, 2019.

The host nation will be looking to improve on their second place finish the last time the competition was held in the UAE in 1996, but will face formidable opponents in India and Thailand who complete the cast in Group A.

Meanwhile defending champions Australia were drawn in Group B with 2004 and 2011 quarter-finalists Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, who return to the competition following their absence in Australia 2015.

Continent powerhouses and 2015 finalists Korea Republic, who are on the hunt for their first title since 1960, were drawn in Group C with two-time runners-up China PR as well as two debutants in the UAE 2019 - Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines.

Islamic Republic of Iran legend Ali Daei was excited with the result of the draw, describing it as one that promises much action next January.

Held at the Armani Hotel in Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa, the Final Draw was a glittering affair. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the composition of the six groups.

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The ultimate winners at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 1, 2019, will receive an impressive USD$5 million.

The AFC President, who made the announcement during the dazzling AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Draw at the United Arab Emirates’ Burj Khalifa, said: “Tonight, we celebrate a new chapter in the glorious history of the Asian Cup here in the UAE.

“This is the second time the UAE has staged this competition and the fact that the competition has now doubled in size demonstrates how far Asian football has progressed in 22 years.

“In addition to more teams and more opportunities, the AFC wants to reward success. I am pleased to announce tonight that the prize money for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will total almost 15 million dollars and the winners of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 will collect 5 million dollars.”

The new trophy was unveiled by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and former UAE international Zuhair Bakheet during the glittering AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Draw at the Burj Khalifa.

Designed and made by world renowned silversmiths Thomas Lyte of London, the new trophy eloquently communicates the powerful spirit of football’s second oldest continental football competition.

Thomas Lyte craftsmen have designed and made globally some of the most iconic sporting trophies and the new AFC Asian Cup took these makers over 450 hours to craft, passing through the hands of 12 different craftsmen.

AFC President Shaikh Salman said: “Since 1956 we have had the same trophy and in keeping with the new and exciting future of the competition, the AFC decided to commission a new trophy, one that captures the excitement and drama of the tournament ahead.

“The AFC has trusted Thomas Lyte for all of our trophy designs since 1997 and I am happy to see this relationship flourish with this magnificent trophy which is fitting of the crowning jewel of the AFC’s competitions.”

The mascots were chosen for embodying the undeniable passion for football that exists in the UAE and across the Continent as well as the strong connection with the country’s culture.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee, announced his pleasure at unveiling the official mascots for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the final draw ceremony: “The Local Organising Committee are very excited and convinced Mansour and Jarrah will play an important role in representing the essence of Emirati culture to capture the imagination of the fans. We sincerely hope Mansour and Jarrah will leave a legacy to inspire love for football among tomorrow’s generation.