Titles
Japan have won the Asian Cup four times, more than any other nation. Iran and Saudi Arabia have three each, South Korea and Qatar two, and Kuwait, Australia, Iraq and Israel one apiece. Eight of those nine are in the 2027 field. Israel, who won in 1964, no longer competes in Asian competition.
Appearances
Iran and South Korea arrive in Saudi Arabia at their sixteenth Asian Cup each, the most of any team here. Iran have not missed one since 1968. At the other end, Singapore and Tajikistan are at their second, and Kyrgyzstan and Yemen at their third.
The longest waits
South Korea won the first two editions and have not won it since 1960, which by 2027 is a gap of sixty-seven years and the longest of any former champion in the field. Iran have waited fifty-one years, Kuwait forty-seven.
The two are an odd pair. Between them they have thirty previous appearances, five titles and nine deciding matches, and not one of those titles has come since 1976.
Finals decided the hard way
Two finals have gone to penalties: 1988, when Saudi Arabia beat South Korea 4-2 after a goalless draw, and 1996, when Saudi Arabia beat the United Arab Emirates 4-3 on the same basis. Two more went to extra time, in 1972 and 2015.
Runners-up
South Korea have lost four finals, more than anyone else, in 1972, 1980, 1988 and 2015. Saudi Arabia have lost three, in 1992, 2000 and 2007. With their three titles that makes six deciding matches, a total only South Korea matches: two won and four lost.