The strongest pairing in the group, first
The draw put Group B’s two most convincing recent sides together on the opening matchday, at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, the second-largest venue of the tournament at 60 000. It is the match most likely to decide who tops the group, played before either team knows anything about the other two.
Jordan arrive as the more recent story. They reached the 2023 final, losing to Qatar, having never previously reached one in five attempts. Most of that squad is still available, and the question the tournament asks them is whether a run like that repeats or was the exception.
Uzbekistan have the steadier record and the thinner highlight reel: every Asian Cup since 1996, nine appearances in a row, and one fourth place in 2011 to show for it. On paper this is their best chance in years to go further. It starts against the side that went furthest of anyone here.
Bahrain 
North Korea
Uzbekistan
Jordan