Caltex Socceroos to discover AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 opponents

The Caltex Socceroos will discover their group stage opponents for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ early on Saturday morning (AEST) when the official draw for Asia’s top international football tournament takes place in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Australia, who will be represented at the official draw by Head of National Teams, Luke Casserly, as well as Caltex Socceroos Assistant Coach, Ante Milicic, has been placed in Pot 1 for the 24-nation draw alongside hosts UAE, IR Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, and Saudi Arabia.

The Caltex Socceroos, who will be seeking to defend their AFC Asian Cup crown in the UAE early in 2019, will be pooled alongside three nations – one each from Pots 2, 3, and 4. As the second-highest FIFA ranked nation at the tournament, Australia will avoid all other Pot 1 nations until the knockout phase of the competition.

The official draw for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ will be held at the iconic Burj Khalifa, a stunning building recognised as the world’s tallest skyscraper, at 7.30pm local time on Friday (1.30am AEST – Saturday, 5 May 2018).

The official draw for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ will be streamed live via the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) official Facebook page – www.facebook.com/theafcasiancup

2019 will mark the first time that 24 nations have competed at the AFC Asian Cup Finals, after 16 teams took part in the last four versions of the competition. The Caltex Socceroos won the AFC Asian Cup on home soil in 2015 after beating Korea Republic in a thrilling Final in Sydney, and were beaten in the Final by Japan in 2011 in Doha, Qatar.

Eight venues in four cities (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Al Ain) will host matches at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™. The tournament will kick-off in Abu Dhabi on 5 January 2019, and conclude in the same city on 1 February 2019.

AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ - Final Draw:
When: Friday, 4 May 2018 (local time)
Where: Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Time: 7.30pm (local time); 1.30am AEST – Saturday, 5 May 2018
Broadcast: www.facebook.com/theafcasiancup
Social Media: Join the official draw conversation using #AsianCup2019

AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™ - Final Draw Pots:
Pot 1: United Arab Emirates, IR Iran, Australia, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia
Pot 2: China PR, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Qatar, Thailand
Pot 3: Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Palestine, Oman, India, Vietnam
Pot 4: DPR Korea, Philippines, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Turkmenistan