The AFC Asian Cup is Asia’s top football tournament, held every four years. It began in 1956 in Hong Kong, with South Korea winning the first edition.
Over the years, the competition has grown from just four teams to 24 nations, showing the rise of football across Asia.
The most recent champions are Qatar, who defended their 2019 title in 2023. This article lists all winners, runners-up, scores, and key moments from each tournament since 1956.
AFC Asian Cup Winners List: Overview
Check the AFC Asian Cup winners list, including champions, runners-up, scores, and notable moments from 1956 to today.
| Year | Hosts | Champions | Score | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Hong Kong | South Korea | round-robin | Israel |
| 1960 | South Korea | South Korea | round-robin | Israel |
| 1964 | Israel | Israel | round-robin | India |
| 1968 | Iran | Iran | round-robin | Burma |
| 1972 | Thailand | Iran | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | South Korea |
| 1976 | Iran | Iran | 1–0 | Kuwait |
| 1980 | Kuwait | Kuwait | 3–0 | South Korea |
| 1984 | Singapore | Saudi Arabia | 2–0 | China |
| 1988 | Qatar | Saudi Arabia | 0–0 (a.e.t., 4–3 p) | South Korea |
| 1992 | Japan | Japan | 1–0 | Saudi Arabia |
| 1996 | United Arab Emirates | Saudi Arabia | 0–0 (a.e.t., 4–2 p) | United Arab Emirates |
| 2000 | Lebanon | Japan | 1–0 | Saudi Arabia |
| 2004 | China | Japan | 3–1 | China |
| 2007 | Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam | Iraq | 1–0 | Saudi Arabia |
| 2011 | Qatar | Japan | 1–0 (a.e.t.) | Australia |
| 2015 | Australia | Australia | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | South Korea |
| 2019 | United Arab Emirates | Qatar | 3–1 | Japan |
| 2023 | Qatar | Qatar | 3–1 | Jordan |
| 2027 | Saudi Arabia | TBD | TBD | TBD |
1. 1956 Winners: South Korea
South Korea won the inaugural AFC Asian Cup in 1956, held in Hong Kong from September 1–15. The tournament had four teams playing in a round-robin format.
They finished undefeated, claiming the title with a 2-1 win over runners-up Israel and a 5-3 victory against South Vietnam, becoming Asia’s first continental champions.
2. 1960 Winners: South Korea
South Korea won the 1960 AFC Asian Cup, which it hosted for the second time. They played a round-robin format with four teams.
The team finished with a perfect record, defeating South Vietnam 5–1, Israel 3–0, and the Republic of China 1–0, claiming their second consecutive title after their 1956 victory.
3. 1964 Winners: Israel
Israel won the 1964 AFC Asian Cup, hosted in their own country. The tournament featured four teams in a round-robin format.
They went unbeaten, defeating Hong Kong 2–0, India 2–0, and South Korea 2–1 to claim the title. Mordechai Spiegler finished as joint top scorer, helping Israel secure their first continental championship.
4.1968 Winners: Iran
Iran hosted and won the 1968 AFC Asian Cup, held at Amjadieh Stadium in Tehran. The tournament featured a round-robin format with five teams.
They went unbeaten, defeating Burma, Israel, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, claiming their first of three consecutive titles (1968, 1972, 1976) and establishing themselves as a rising force in Asian football. Ko ko
5.1972 Winners: Iran
Iran won the 1972 AFC Asian Cup, claiming their second consecutive title. The tournament, held in Thailand, featured a knockout-style final for the first time.
They defeated South Korea 2–1 after extra time on May 19, following a 1–1 draw in regulation, solidifying Iran’s dominance in Asian football.
6.1976 Winners: Iran
Iran won the 1976 AFC Asian Cup, claiming their third consecutive title. The final was held at Aryamehr Stadium in Tehran.
They defeated Kuwait 1–0, with Ali Parvin scoring the decisive goal in the 71st minute. This victory completed a historic “hat-trick” of titles (1968, 1972, 1976), cementing Iran’s dominance in 1970s Asian football.
7. 1980 Winners: Kuwait
Kuwait hosted the 1980 AFC Asian Cup, the first to feature ten teams divided into two groups, with the top teams advancing to the knockout rounds.
Kuwait won their first and only title, defeating South Korea 3–0 in the final. Iran claimed third place by beating North Korea 3–0, while Kuwait became the first Arab nation to lift the trophy, showcasing their dominance throughout the tournament.
8. 1984 Winners: Saudi Arabia
Qatar hosted ten teams in a group and knockout format. The tournament followed the established structure from previous editions.
Saudi Arabia defended their title by defeating South Korea 4–3 on penalties after a goalless draw in extra time. Iran beat China in another penalty shootout for third place, cementing Saudi Arabia as a rising powerhouse in Asian football.
9. 1988 Winners: Saudi Arabia
Qatar hosted ten teams in a group and knockout format. The tournament followed the established structure from previous editions.
Saudi Arabia defended their title by defeating South Korea 4–3 on penalties after a goalless draw in extra time. Iran beat China in another penalty shootout for third place, cementing Saudi Arabia as a rising powerhouse in Asian football.
10. 1992 Winners: Japan
Japan hosted eight teams divided into two groups, with the top finishers advancing to the semi-finals.
Japan won their first major international title, defeating defending champions Saudi Arabia 1–0. China claimed third place on penalties against the United Arab Emirates. The home victory marked Japan’s emergence as a serious contender in Asian football.
11. 1996 Winners: Saudi Arabia
The United Arab Emirates hosted twelve teams across three groups, with eight advancing to the knockout rounds.
Saudi Arabia captured their third title by beating hosts UAE 4–2 on penalties after a goalless final. Iran defeated Kuwait on penalties for third place. The tournament expansion increased competitiveness and representation across the region.
12. 2000 Winners: Japan
Lebanon hosted twelve teams in three groups, with quarter-finals determining semi-finalists.
Japan defeated Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the final, while South Korea claimed third place over China 1–0. Japan successfully retained the Asian Cup, overcoming strong support for Saudi Arabia in the stadium.
13. 2004 Winners: Japan
China hosted sixteen teams in four groups of four, with top finishers advancing to the quarter-finals.
Japan beat hosts China 3–1 to claim their third title. Iran defeated Bahrain 4–2 for third place. The victory marked Japan’s consecutive championship run amid heightened political tensions in the final.
14. 2007 Winners: Iraq
The tournament was hosted across four Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, featuring sixteen teams.
Iraq shocked the continent by defeating Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the final. South Korea beat Japan on penalties for third place. Iraq’s triumph brought hope and unity for a nation facing ongoing conflict.
15. 2011 Winners: Japan
Qatar hosted sixteen teams in the group and knockout stages. Japan defeated Australia 1–0 after extra time to claim a record fourth Asian Cup title.
South Korea beat Uzbekistan 3–2 for third place. Japan became the most successful nation in Asian Cup history, while Australia reached its first final.
16. 2015 Winners: Australia
Australia hosted sixteen teams across multiple cities for its first tournament since joining the AFC. Australia won on home soil, defeating South Korea 2–1 after extra time.
The United Arab Emirates claimed third place over Iraq, 3–2. The hosts’ victory marked their first Asian Cup title and avenged their only tournament loss against South Korea.
17. 2019 Winners: Qatar
The United Arab Emirates hosted twenty-four teams in six groups, with sixteen advancing to the knockout rounds.
Qatar won their maiden title, defeating Japan 3–1. Video assistant referees were used for the first time, and Qatar’s dominant performance surprised football observers amid regional diplomatic tensions.
18.2023 Winners: Qatar
Qatar hosted twenty-four teams as defending champions, continuing the expanded tournament format. Qatar successfully defended its title, beating Jordan 3–1.
The tournament featured the first female referee in Asian Cup history, and attendance exceeded 1.06 million spectators. Qatar joined South Korea, Iran, Japan, and Saudi Arabia as multiple-time champions.
2027 Winners: TBD
Saudi Arabia will host the upcoming twenty-four-team tournament, with champions and runners-up yet to be decided.
The edition promises competitive matches among Asia’s top teams. Fans eagerly anticipate the performances of traditional powerhouses and emerging nations as the tournament continues its rich history.
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Conclusion: Japan Holds The Most AFC Asian Cup Titles, With Four Championships
The AFC Asian Cup has crowned many different champions over nearly seven decades. Japan leads with four titles, while Iran and Saudi Arabia have three each. South Korea, Qatar, Kuwait, Australia, Iraq, and Israel have all won at least once.
Qatar will aim for a third consecutive title in 2027, but traditional powers like Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia will challenge them.
The tournament continues to grow in competitiveness and prestige. Fans around the world eagerly await the next chapter in Asia’s premier football competition.
