Japan is the most successful team in AFC Asian Cup history with four titles, won in 1992, 2000, 2004, and 2011. Iran and Saudi Arabia are next with three championships each, while South Korea and Qatar have won twice.
The tournament began in 1956 and has crowned nine different champions. Qatar are the current holders after beating Jordan 3-1 in the 2023 final, which was played in February 2024. The next edition will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2027.
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 post-tournament report provides the official roll of honour used for the complete winners list below.
AFC Asian Cup Winners by Year
| Year | Host | Champion | Runner-Up | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Hong Kong | South Korea | Israel | Round-robin |
| 1960 | South Korea | South Korea | Israel | Round-robin |
| 1964 | Israel | Israel | India | Round-robin |
| 1968 | Iran | Iran | Burma (now Myanmar) | Round-robin |
| 1972 | Thailand | Iran | South Korea | 2-1 after extra time |
| 1976 | Iran | Iran | Kuwait | 1-0 |
| 1980 | Kuwait | Kuwait | South Korea | 3-0 |
| 1984 | Singapore | Saudi Arabia | China | 2-0 |
| 1988 | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | South Korea | 0-0 after extra time; Saudi Arabia won 4-3 on penalties |
| 1992 | Japan | Japan | Saudi Arabia | 1-0 |
| 1996 | United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | United Arab Emirates | 0-0 after extra time; Saudi Arabia won 4-2 on penalties |
| 2000 | Lebanon | Japan | Saudi Arabia | 1-0 |
| 2004 | China | Japan | China | 3-1 |
| 2007 | Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam | Iraq | Saudi Arabia | 1-0 |
| 2011 | Qatar | Japan | Australia | 1-0 after extra time |
| 2015 | Australia | Australia | South Korea | 2-1 after extra time |
| 2019 | United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Japan | 3-1 |
| 2023 | Qatar | Qatar | Jordan | 3-1 |
The first four editions, from 1956 through 1968, were decided by a final round-robin table rather than a single championship match. A knockout final was introduced in 1972.
The 2023 edition kept its official tournament name even though it was played from January 12 to February 10, 2024. Qatar beat Jordan 3-1 in the final at Lusail Stadium, with Akram Afif scoring three penalties. The AFC final review confirms Qatar’s second straight title.
Which Country Has Won the Most AFC Asian Cups?
Japan leads the all-time championship table with four titles. Iran and Saudi Arabia have three each, while South Korea and Qatar have two apiece.
| Nation | Titles | Winning Years | Runner-Up Finishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 4 | 1992, 2000, 2004, 2011 | 1 |
| Iran | 3 | 1968, 1972, 1976 | 0 |
| Saudi Arabia | 3 | 1984, 1988, 1996 | 3 |
| South Korea | 2 | 1956, 1960 | 4 |
| Qatar | 2 | 2019, 2023 | 0 |
| Israel | 1 | 1964 | 2 |
| Kuwait | 1 | 1980 | 1 |
| Iraq | 1 | 2007 | 0 |
| Australia | 1 | 2015 | 1 |
Nine nations have lifted the trophy. China, the United Arab Emirates, India, Myanmar, and Jordan have all finished runner-up without winning the title.
Japan’s Four AFC Asian Cup Titles
Japan did not win the competition until 1992, but their rise was rapid. As hosts, they beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the 1992 final to claim their first continental championship.
Japan then won two consecutive editions in 2000 and 2004. Their 2000 title came with another 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, while the 2004 final ended in a 3-1 win over host nation China.
The fourth title arrived in Qatar in 2011. Tadanari Lee scored in extra time as Japan defeated Australia 1-0. Japan returned to the final in 2019 but lost 3-1 to Qatar.
Iran’s Three Consecutive Championships
Iran remain the only nation to win three consecutive AFC Asian Cup editions. They first lifted the trophy in 1968, won again in Thailand in 1972, and completed the three-peat on home soil in 1976.
The 1968 competition was still decided by a round-robin format. In 1972, Iran beat South Korea 2-1 after extra time in the first Asian Cup final played under the knockout system. Four years later, Ali Parvin scored the winner in a 1-0 final victory over Kuwait.
Iran have not won the tournament since 1976, but their three-title run remains one of the competition’s defining records.
Saudi Arabia’s Six Finals
Saudi Arabia have reached six AFC Asian Cup finals, winning three and losing three. Their championships came in 1984, 1988, and 1996.
The 1988 and 1996 titles were both decided by penalty shootouts. Saudi Arabia later finished runner-up to Japan in 2000 and Iraq in 2007, after also losing the 1992 final to Japan.
Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Cup for the first time in 2027, giving the three-time champions a chance to pursue a fourth title at home.
Qatar’s Back-to-Back Titles
Qatar joined the list of back-to-back champions by winning the 2019 and 2023 editions. They defeated Japan 3-1 in Abu Dhabi in 2019 to secure their first title.
Almoez Ali scored nine goals in the 2019 tournament, an AFC Asian Cup single-edition record. His ninth came in the final, surpassing Ali Daei’s previous mark of eight from 1996. The AFC’s report on Qatar’s 2019 triumph documents that record-setting campaign.
Qatar retained the title as hosts of the 2023 edition. Akram Afif scored a hat-trick of penalties in the 3-1 final win over Jordan, making Qatar the fifth nation to win consecutive Asian Cup editions after South Korea, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.
How the AFC Asian Cup Has Evolved
The Asian Cup began with only four teams in Hong Kong in 1956. The first four tournaments used a round-robin championship format, meaning the team with the best record in the final group became champion.
The tournament introduced a knockout final in 1972 and gradually expanded. The 2004, 2007, 2011, and 2015 editions featured 16 teams. The field grew to 24 teams in 2019, adding a round of 16 to the knockout stage.
The 2007 tournament was also unique because four countries jointly hosted it: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Iraq won the title by beating Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final.
For readers comparing continental champions across competitions, our FIFA World Cup winners list covers every world champion from 1930 onward.
Who Is the AFC Asian Cup’s All-Time Top Scorer?
Iran legend Ali Daei is the AFC Asian Cup’s all-time leading scorer with 14 goals across three editions. The AFC has identified Daei as the tournament’s record goalscorer.
Almoez Ali owns the single-tournament scoring record. He scored nine goals for Qatar in 2019, breaking Daei’s previous one-edition record of eight from 1996.
When Is the Next AFC Asian Cup?
The next AFC Asian Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027. The tournament begins on January 7, 2027, and will be the first Asian Cup hosted by Saudi Arabia.
The AFC confirmed the 2027 tournament draw and opening date in May 2026. Qatar will enter as the two-time defending champion.
FAQs
Who has won the most AFC Asian Cups?
Japan holds the record with four championships, won in 1992, 2000, 2004, and 2011.
Who won the first AFC Asian Cup?
South Korea won the inaugural tournament in Hong Kong in 1956. The competition used a four-team round-robin format rather than a single final.
Who won the most recent AFC Asian Cup?
Qatar won the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, defeating Jordan 3-1 in the final on February 10, 2024. Qatar also won the previous edition in 2019.
Which country won three AFC Asian Cups in a row?
Iran won three consecutive editions in 1968, 1972, and 1976. No other nation has matched that three-edition winning streak.
How many countries have won the AFC Asian Cup?
Nine countries have become Asian champions: South Korea, Israel, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Iraq, Australia, and Qatar.
When did the AFC Asian Cup expand to 24 teams?
The tournament expanded from 16 to 24 teams for the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates.
Who is the all-time top scorer in AFC Asian Cup history?
Ali Daei of Iran is the all-time leading scorer with 14 goals. Almoez Ali holds the record for the most goals in a single edition with nine in 2019.
Where will the 2027 AFC Asian Cup be held?
Saudi Arabia will host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup for the first time. The tournament is scheduled to begin on January 7, 2027.
