After a five-year hiatus, the top teams in Asian football will converge in Qatar to battle in the AFC Asian Cup. This tournament takes place one year later than planned due to COVID-19-related constraints. Our 2023 AFC Asian Cup betting guide previews the tournament, offering a glimpse of what will come.
This year’s competition takes place in Qatar after the original hosts, China, pulled out in 2022. The tournament was supposed to take place across 11 Chinese cities, while now Qatar will serve as host for the third time. Previously, the Middle Eastern country hosted this championship in 1988 and 2011. The championship commences on January 11 and concludes on February 11. The first and final game will take place at the Lusail Stadium.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | 2023 AFC Asian Cup |
| 🏟️ Venues: | Across four host cities in Qatar |
| 🗓️ Dates: | 12th January – 11th February, 2024 |
Bookmakers in Asia have provided the 2023 AFC Asian Cup odds for the top contenders to clinch this championship:
2019 finalist Japan enter this tournament as the top-ranked team in Asian football. Notably, Japan emerged as the winners last time the tournament was held in Qatar. The Samurai Blue boasts a squad primarily composed of Europe-based players, with a mere quintet hailing from J. League clubs. Japan was brilliant in 2023, securing wins against Germany, Turkey, and Canada. They are favorites to secure their fifth AFC title.
Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan led South Korea into this tournament after a strong start in the first part of the 2023/24 English Premier League. Both players have scored a combined 22 league goals this season. Concerning their team performance, the Koreans have yet to concede in their last six games. With a strong squad selection at the disposal of Jurgen Klinsmann, this team can go all the way. So try best betting sites with live streaming for this option.
Australia has the potential to win the 2023 AFC Championship as well. They are currently ranked 25 in world football after solid performances in 2023. They enter this competition looking to improve their previous displays at the last two editions of the Asian Cup, as the Aussies exited from the quarterfinals on both occasions. They also exited the 2022 World Cup playoffs after suffering defeat from World Champions Argentina.
Saudi Arabia last won the Asian Cup in 1996, yet they appear in this list thanks to the rapid development of football in the country over the past few months. Their coach, Roberto Mancini, holds the tournament’s most illustrious profile, following triumphant tenures with Manchester and the Italian National team. With titles under his belt in both roles, Mancini is well-positioned to capture a long-awaited title for the Saudis. With players like Salem Al-Dawsari and Saud Abdulhamid, they could go the distance.
Iran’s consistent performance in recent months has solidified their status as one of the tournament favorites. After Carlos Queiroz’s departure after the 2022 World Cup, Iran welcomed Amir Ghalenoei back to steer Team Melli. In his second tenure, Ghalenoei maintains an undefeated streak, boasting 10 wins in the last 12 matches. Within that time, they have scored 35 goals. With two-time Primeira Liga top scorer Mehdi Taremi leading their frontline, Iran could cause an upset in Qatar.
The tournament features 24 teams and is divided into six groups. Each team plays a single match against their group counterparts. The top two teams from each group automatically advance to the round of 16. Furthermore, the four best-performing third-placed teams also proceed to the knockout stages. Countries that finish at the bottom of their groups and the two lowest-ranked third-placed teams face elimination.
The knockout phase starts with the round of 16, then progresses to the quarterfinals, semifinals, and culminating in the final. It is an instant elimination round, with losing teams exiting the championship. Additional time will be played if a game ends in a draw during regular time. Penalties will decide matches that end as a draw after additional time.
The AFC Asian Cup was established in 1956. This current iteration is the 18th edition of the competition. Japan is the most successful team in the tournament, with four Asian Cups. Saudi Arabia and Iran have won the competition three times, while South Korea holds two trophies. Current holders Qatar have one title. Four different teams have won the last four editions of this competition.
Japan to Win Outright @ 3.15 (11/5)
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Japan is the team to beat in Qatar. They come into the competition with a strong roster filled with established players at the top level. Additionally, they have gotten results against high-profile teams during 2023, securing wins against Germany, Canada, and Turkey. The Blue Samurai has scored 40 goals in their last 12 games while conceding eight times. They last tasted defeat on March 28, 2023, in a 2-1 defeat to Columbia.
Players like Takefusa Kubo, Takumi Minamino, Wataru Endo, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Kaoru Mitoma give the Blue Samurai an edge over their opponents. Given their strong showing against top European teams in recent months, Japan are favorites to win this competition.
Iran to Win Outright @ 7.85 (7/1)
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Iran’s national team entered the competition as slight underdogs. As a team, their performances have improved dramatically with the second coming of Amir Ghalenoei. Without any loss in 2023, they head to Qatar with confidence and belief. With 35 goals from 12 games, Team Melli has shown their ability to find the net when it matters.
They are also defensively secure, conceding 8 goals in 2023 without a loss. So far, 31-year-old striker Taremi has scored 43 times in 76 appearances for Team Melli. He was also second at the 2022 Asian International Player of the Year. With a wealth of experience, Mehdi Taremi could help them secure a fourth title. Other players like Saman Ghoddos and Sardar Azmoun could help the team reach their goal.
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South Korea is the favorite to top this group due to the quality of their opponents as they face Bahrain, Malaysia, and Jordan. South Korea is ranked 23rd in global football, which is much higher than their opponents, and has two AFC Asian Cups. They also boast the incredible duo of Hwang Hee-chan and Son Heung-min. Both players are at the top of their game, performing excellently for their clubs. Given their superiority over other countries in this group, we expect the Red Devils to win all their matches and advance to round 16 with 9 points.
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Son Heung-min stands out as a marquee player in this edition of the AFC Championships. Despite Harry Kane’s departure, he has significantly impacted Tottenham this season. Son’s performance is noteworthy, with 17 goal contributions in the league, including 12 goals and 5 assists. Considering the relatively straightforward nature of their group-stage matches, Son is well-positioned to rack up a substantial goal tally before advancing to the competition’s knockout phase. The latest football odds favor him to finish as the top scorer in Qatar.
Here are our Football AFC 2023 betting picks:
Japan is our pick to clinch the title on February 11. They have all it takes to win, possessing a balanced squad with strong offensive and defensive abilities. South Korea should qualify with maximum points from their group. Feel free to use our ace bet guides and Asian Cup 2023 football betting predictions to wager on any online betting sites in Asia. The games are available via live stream; you should be able to watch the action live on your mobile device.
