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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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.

Asia’s top 24 teams will compete in the greatest ever Asian Cup in 246 days.

Here in this wonderful venue in such a remarkable city, they will learn their opponents.

The fact that the AFC is here in the United Arab Emirates demonstrates the country’s exceptional ability to stage world class events.

This has been possible because of the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of the Abu Dhabi,

I congratulate your Highnesses and thank you for your hospitality here in the UAE.

I also wish to pay tribute to their Highnesses members of the Supreme Council and Rulers of the Emirates.

In addition, I must thank His Excellency Major General Mohammed Khalfan Al Romaithi, for his kind welcome and recognise the members of both his Higher Local Organising Committee and the AFC’s Organising Committee for their hard work

Tonight, we celebrate a new chapter in the glorious history of the Asian Cup here in the United Arab Emirates.

A bright and glittering future for football in Asia.

And we welcome to this magnificent venue, the representatives of the nations who have qualified for the biggest and most exciting ever AFC Asian Cup.

This Asian Cup is -- as the slogan says – Bringing Asia Together.

We have teams from each of the five AFC zones, and have teams who are competing for the first time.

I have no doubt that the UAE, one of the Continent’s, most dynamic and visionary country will be the perfect stage for this historic tournament.

This is the second time that the UAE has staged this competition – the other back in 1996 – when just 12 teams qualified.

The fact that the competition has now doubled demonstrates how far Asian football has progressed in 22 years.

In addition to more teams and more opportunities, the AFC wants to reward success.

So I am pleased to announce tonight that the prize money for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will total almost 15 million US dollars.

It means all 24 teams will receive a participation fee of 200,000 dollars.

The losing semi finalists will receive one million dollars, the runners-up 3 million dollars.

And the winners of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 will collect 5 million dollars.

But this new prize money is not the only innovation at the Asian Cup.

Earlier this evening I had the pleasure on behalf of the AFC of signing the contract with the Japanese football manufacturers Molten.

Already recognised for their great quality – Molten will produce the footballs for so many of the AFC’s main competitions – including the AFC Asian Cup.

This demonstrates the AFC’s belief in Asian manufacturers and Asian footballs

And I believe that we will get a glimpse of the ball later in the evening.

Finally, no competition is complete without a trophy. 

And in a few moments we will unveil the new AFC Asian Cup trophy.

We have had the same trophy since 1956 and in keeping with the new and exciting future of the competition, the AFC decided to commission a new trophy.

Designed and crafted by world-renowned silversmiths the trophy captures the history, unity, excitement and drama of the tournament ahead. We thank them.

I also thank the 24 teams and their Member Associations, the Local Organising Committee, the UAE FA, and the host cities and authorities of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah as well as broadcast and commercial partners.

We are all determined that the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will be the greatest tournament we have ever held.

And this event in such an iconic venue in an iconic city is the perfect way to kick off the new era of Asian football.

By bringing Asia together

Thank you and good luck to all the teams.

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 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 signing ceremony, which was also attended by Molten President and CEO Kiyofumi Tamiaki, means Molten will supply footballs to some of Asia’s most high-profile fixtures including the AFC Asian Cup, the AFC Champions League, AFC Cup, AFC’s two flagship futsal events as well as several men’s and women’s youth events at the national team level.

The first match featuring Molten balls will kick off on January 5, 2019 at the opening match of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 – an event that enjoys a television reach of more than two billion people.

The AFC President said: “We are delighted to have Molten as the official match ball supplier of AFC’s national and club competitions. It is a significant partnership as it not only showcases Asia’s leading competitions but also one of the world’s leading Asian ball manufacturers. We are excited to have teamed up with the supplier of world-class footballs, and look forward to seeing the partnership grow in line with our leading 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.