2023 Asian Cup: Complete squad guide for tournament in Qatar

The continent's premier international football competition has been expanded to 24 teams

The 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup kicks off in Qatar next Friday and the tournament will be the biggest yet after being expanded to 24 teams.

The 2023 Asian Cup was initially scheduled to take place in China last summer but Covid-19 restrictions saw Qatar take over as hosts, while the summer heat and the Gulf nation's involvement in the Concacaf Gold Cup meant the tournament was pushed to this month.

As the teams begin to arrive in the region to continue their preparations, here is the full list of all 24 squads competing in the 2023 Asian Cup.

Group A

Qatar

Goalkeepers: Saad Al Sheeb, Meshal Barsham, Salah Zakaria

Defenders: Al Mahdi Ali, Lucas Mendes, Boualem Khokhi, Pedro Miguel, Tarek Salman, Sultan Al Beraik, Homam Al Amin, Bassam Al-Rawi

Midfielders: Ahmed Fathi, Jassim Gaber, Abdelaziz Hatem, Hassan Al Haydos, Ali Asad, Mohammed Waad, Mustafa Meshal, Khaled Mohammed

Forwards: Ahmed Al Janhi, Ahmed Alaa, Akram Afif, Yousif Abdurazaq, Al Moez Ali, Ismail Mohammed, Khalid Muneer

Qatar striker Akram Afif has been in prolific form for Al Sadd this season, scoring 13 goals in the Qatar Stars League. Getty Images

China

Goalkeepers: Liu Dianzuo, Yan Junling, Wang Dalei, Jian Tao

Defenders: Jiang Guangtai, Zhang Linpeng, Zhu Chenjie, Jiang Shenglong, Liu Yang, Li Lei, Wu Shaocong, Xu Haofeng

Midfielders: Wu Xi, Xie Pengfei, Liu Binbin, Wang Shangyuan, Gao Tianyi, Xu Xin, Dai Weijun, Lin Liangming, Wang Qiuming

Forwards: Wu Lei, Wei Shihao, Chen Pu, Tan Long, Zhang Yuning

China captain Wu Xi will lead his national team at the 2023 Asian Cup. AFP

Tajikistan

Goalkeepers: Rustam Yatimov, Dalerjon Barotov, Mukhriddin Khasanov

Defenders: Tabrezi Davlatmir, Kholmurod Nazarov, Manucehr Safarov, Vahdat Hanonov, Sodiqjon Qurbonov, Akhtam Nazarov, Daler Imomnazarov

Midfielders: Parvizdzhon Umarboev, Amirbek Dzuraboev, Aliser Dzhalilov, Hasan Muhammadjoni, Amadoni Kamolov, Alisher Shukurov, Ehson Panshanbe, Ruslan Khailoev, Alijoni Aini, Vaysiddin Safarov

Forwards: Rustam Soirov, Mabatshoev Shervoni, Shakhrom Samiev, Nuriddin Khamrokulov, Muhammadali Azizboev

СБОРНАЯ ТАДЖИКИСТАНА: ВОССТАНОВИТЕЛЬНАЯ ТРЕНИРОВКА ПОСЛЕ КОНТРОЛЬНОГО МАТЧА С ГОНКОНГОМ
Национальная сборная Таджикистана провела на учебно-тренировочном сборе в Абу-Даби восстановительную тренировку после контрольного матча с Гонконгом (2:1).https://t.co/8LQ5am1oKn pic.twitter.com/7g6awdncTI

— Tajikistan Football (@fft_official) January 5, 2024

Lebanon

Goalkeepers: Mehdi Khalil, Mostafa Matar, Ali Sabeh

Defenders: Maher Sabra, Nour Mansour, Nassar, Hussein Zein, Robert Melki, Kassem El Zein, Hassan Samih Chaitou

Midfielders: Yahya El Hindi, Hilal El-Helwe, Mohamad Haidar, Felix Michel, Mouhammed-Ali Dhaini, Jihad Ayoub, Walid Shour, Daniel Lajud, Ali Tneich, Bassel Jradi, Hassan Srour

Forwards: Hassan Maatouk, Soony Saad, Omar Chaaban, Ali Al Haj, Gabriel Bitar

Hassan Maatouk, left, is Lebanon captain. AFP

Group B

Australia

Goalkeepers: Joe Gauci, Mathew Ryan, Lawrence Thomas

Defenders: Nathaniel Atkinson, Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Thomas Deng, Gethin Jones, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar

Midfielders: Keanu Baccus, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O'Neill, Patrick Yazbek

Forwards: Martin Boyle, Mitchell Duke, Bruno Fornaroli, Craig Goodwin, John Iredale, Sam Silvera, Marco Tilio, Kusini Yengi

Australia captain Mathew Ryan is aiming to win his second Asian Cup following the Socceroos' triumph in 2015. Getty Images

Uzbekistan

Goalkeepers: Abduvokhid Nematov, Utkir Yusupov, Botirali Ergashev

Defenders: Rustam Ashurmatov, Umarbek Eshmurodov, Khusniddin Alikulov, Muhammadkodir Khamraliev, Abdulla Abdullaev, Abdukodir Khusanov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Farrukh Saifiev, Khodjiakbar Alijonov, Zafarmurod Abdirahmatov

Midfielders: Jaloliddin Masharipov, Oston Urunov, Aziz Turgunboev, Odiljon Khamrobekov, Diyor Kholmatov, Jamshid Boltaboev, Jamshid Iskanderov, Khodjimat Erkinov, Otabek Shukurov, Abbosbek Faizullaev

Forwards: Igor Sergeev, Bobir Abdiholikov, Azizbek Amonov

Uzbekistan will be without captain and star man Eldor Shomurodov after he sustained a leg injury recently. EPA

India

Goalkeepers: Amrinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Vishal Kaith

Defenders: Akash Mishra, Lalchungnunga, Mehtab Singh, Nikhil Poojary, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Sandesh Jhingan, Subhasish Bose

Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Brandon Fernandes, Deepak Tangri, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Sahal Abdul Samad, Suresh Singh Wangjam, Udanta Singh

Forwards: Ishan Pandita, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Manvir Singh, Rahul Kannoly Praveen, Sunil Chhetri, Vikram Partap Singh

India captain Sunil Chhetri is his nation's all-time top-scorer with 93 international goals. AFP

Syria

Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Ahmad Madanieh, Taha Mousa, Maksim Sarraf

Defenders: Aiham Hanz Ousou, Mouaiad Alajaan, Amr Almidani, Amro Jeniat, Thaer Krouma, Khaled Kourdoghli, Moaiad Alkhoul, Ampntoul Rachman Oues

Midfielders: Ezequiel Ham, Kamel Hmeisheh, Mohammad Alhallak, Amar Ramadan, Mohammed, Osman, Elmar Abraham, Fahad Youssef, Jalil Elias, Ibrahim Hesar

Forwards: Omar Khribin, Alaa Aldin Yasin Dali, Pablo Sabbag, Antonio Yakoub, Mahmood Alaswad

Goalkeeper Ibrahim Alma is the Syria captain. AFP

Group C

UAE

Goalkeepers: Ali Khasif, Khalid Eisa, Khaled Tawhid

Defenders: Abdullah Idrees, Hashemi Hussain, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Mohamad Al-Attas, Khaled Ebraheim Al Dhanhani, Ahmed Abdulla, Abdelrahman Saleh, Bader Abaelaziz

Midfielders: Zayed Sultan, Ali Salmeen, Majid Rashid, Tahnoon Al-Zaabi, Abdulla Hamad, Yahia Nader, Mohamed Abbas, Abdalla Ramadan, Harib Abdalla Al-Maazmi

Forwards: Ali Mabkhout, Ali Saleh, Fabio Lima, Caio, Yahya Al Ghassani, Sultan Adill Alamiri

The UAE's Ali Mabkhout celebrates after scoring their second goal from the penalty spot in the 2-0 World Cup qualifier victory against Bahrain at Bahrain National Stadium on Tuesday, November 21, 2023. Reuters

Iran

Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Hosseini

Defenders: Milad Mohammadi, Ehsan Hajisafi, Ramin Rezaeian, Sadegh Moharrami, Saman Fallah, Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Majid Hosseini, Aria Yousefi

Midfielders: Saeid Ezatolahi, Mohammad Mohebbi, Saman Ghoddos, Mehdi Torabi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammadjavad Hosseinnejad, Omid Ebrahimi, Ali Gholizadeh, Mehdi Ghaedi

Forwards: Shahriar Moghanlou, Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun, Reza Asadi, Karim Ansarifard

Iran's star striker Mehdi Taremi has scored 41 international goals. Getty Images

Hong Kong

Goalkeepers: Hung-Fai Yapp, Ng Wai Him, Ka-Wing Tse

Defenders: Sean Tse Ka Keung, Gerbig Oliver, Vas Nunez, Helio, Tsz-Chun Law, Ngai Hoi Li

Midfielders: Wu Chun-Ming, Chun-Lok Tan, Wai Wong, Lam Hin Ting, Chan Siu Kwan, Shinichi Chan, Tze-Nam Yue, Yu Joy Yin, Ju Yingzhi

Forwards: Matthew Orr, Everton Camargo, Poon Pui Hin, Chang Hei Yin, Michael Udebuluzor, Sun Ming-Him, Stefan Figueiredo Pereira, Juninho

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Palestine

Goalkeepers: Rami Hamadeh, Naeem Abu Akar, and Baraa Kharoub

Defenders: Amr Kaddoura, Musab Al-Battat, Moussa Fairawi, Mohamed Khalil, Samer El-Gendy, Camilo Saldana, Michel Milan, Mohamed Saleh, and Yasser Hamad

Midfielders: Al-Mahdi Issa, Amid Mahajna, Ataa Jaber, Adi Kharoub, Muhammad Bassem, Samer Al-Zubaidi, Tamer Siam, and Mahmoud Abu Wardeh

Forwards: Islam Al-Batran, Alaeddin Hussein, Mahmoud Wadi, Shihab Al-Qanbar, Zaid Al-Qanbar, and Uday Al-Dabbagh

Palestine held a training camp in Sharjah ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier with Lebanon, which they drew. Antonie Robertson / The National

Group D

Japan

Goalkeepers: Daiya Maekawa, Zion Suzuki, Taishi Brandon Nozawa

Defenders: Shogo Taniguchi, Kou Itakura, Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Yuta Nakayama, Koki Machida, Seiya Maikuma, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Hiroki Ito, Yukinari Sugawara

Midfielders: Hidemasa Morita, Wataru Endo, Kaoru Mitoma, Takumi Minamino, Ritsu Doan, Reo Hatate, Takefusa Kubo, Kaishu Sano

Forwards: Ayase Ueda, Mao Hosoya, Keito Nakamura, Junya Ito, Takuma Asano, Daizen Maeda

Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma has been called up to the Japan squad despite being injured. Getty Images

Indonesia

Goalkeepers: Muhammad Riyandi, Ernando Ari Sutaryadi, Syahrul Trisna

Defenders: Elkan Baggott, Jordi Amat, Rizky Ridho Ramadhani, Sandy Walsh, Pratama Arhan, Edo Febriansyah, Aswani Bahar, Wahyu Prasetyo, Shayne Pattynama, Justin Hubner

Midfielders: Yance Sayuri, Witan Sulaeman, Egy Maulana Vikri, Ricky Kambuaya, Saddil Ramdani, Marc Klok, Ivar Jenner

Forwards: Marselino Ferdinan, Dimas Drajad, Rafael Struick, Hokky Caraka, Ramadhan Sananta, Dendi Sulistyawan

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Iraq

Goalkeepers: Fahad Talib Raheem, Jalal Hassan Hachim, Ahmed Basil

Defenders: Rebin Solaka, Hussein Ali, Suad Natiq Naji, Frans Dhia Haddad, Ali Adnan Kadhim, Akam Rahman

Midfielders: Ibrahim Bayesh, Zidane Iqbal, Bashar Resan Bonyan, Amir Al-Ammari, Ali Jasim Elaibi, Danilo Al-Saed, Osama Jabbar, Ahmad Abbas, Merchas Doski, Zayed Tahseen, Ahmed Al-Hajjaj

Forwards: Youssef Amyn, Ali Ibrahim Al-Hamadi, Mohannad Ali Kadhim, Allan Omeer, Ayman Hussein, Montader Madjed

Mohanad Ali, left, is the top-scorer in the Iraq squad with 18 international goals. AFP

Vietnam

Goalkeepers: Nguyen Filip, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, Nguyen Van Viet

Defenders: Vu Van Thanh, Bui Hoang Viet Anh, Giap Tuan Duong, Ho Tan Tai, Do Duy Manh, Pham Xuan Manh, Vo Minh Trong, Nguyen Thanh Binh, Phan Tuan Tai

Midfielders: Nguyen Hoang Duc, Truong Tien Anh, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Hai Long, Nguyen Quang Hai, Le Pham Thanh Long, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Trieu Viet Hung, Nguyen Thai Son

Forwards: Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Van Tung, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Van Toan, Nguyen Dinh Bac

Vietnam captain Do Hung Dung led his team to a gold-medal victory at the 2022 Southeast Asian Games. AFP

Group E

South Korea

Goalkeepers: Kim Seung-gyu, Jo Hyeon-woo, Song Bum-keun

Defenders: Kim Young-gwon, Kim Min-jae, Jung Seung-hyun, Kim Ju-sung, Kim Ji-soo, Seol Young-woo, Kim Tae-hwan, Lee Ki-je, Kim Jin-su

Midfielders: Park Yong-woo, Hwang In-beom, Hong Hyun-seok, Lee Soon-min, Lee Jae-sung, Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min, Jeong Woo-yeong, Hwang Hee-chan, Moon Seon-min, Park Jin-seob, Yang Hyun-jun

Forwards: Cho Gue-sung, Oh Hyeon-gyu

South Korea captain Son Heung-min will be one of the biggest stars at the 2023 Asian Cup. Getty Images

Malaysia

Goalkeepers: Azri Ghani, Syihan Hazmi, Sikh Izhan Nazrel Sikh Azman

Defenders: Matthew Davies, Shahrul Saad, Daniel Ting, Syahmi Safari, Dominic Tan, Junior Eldstal, Dion Cools, La’vere Lawrence Corbin-Ong, Khuzaimi Piee, Stuart Wilkin, Endrick dos Santos, Syamer Kutty Abba, Brendan Gan, Afiq Fazail, Natxo Insa

Forwards: Faisal Halim, Darren Lok, Safawi Rasid, Arif Aiman Hanapi, Mohamadou Sumareh, Paulo Josue, Akhyar Rashid, Romel Morales

Safawi Rasid, centre, is the captain of Malaysia. EPA

Jordan

Goalkeepers: Yazeed Abu Laila, Abdallah Al-Fakhouri, Ahmad Al Juaidi

Defenders: Mohammad Abuhasheesh, Abdallah Nasib, Bara'a Marei, Yazan Al-Arab, Abu Taha, Feras Shelbaieh, Salem Al-Ajalin, Anas Bani Yaseen, Ehsan Haddad

Midfielders: Mohammed Abu Zraiq, Noor Al-Rawabdeh, Mahmoud Al Mardi, Rajaei Ayed, Ibrahim Sadeh, Saleh Ratib, Nizar Al-Rashdan, Yousef Abu Jalboush, Fadi Awad

Forwards: Ali Olwan, Mousa Al-Tamari, Yazan Al Naimat, Hamza Al-Daradreh, Anas Hammad

Forward Musa Al-Taamari has scored 12 goals in 63 appearances for Jordan. AFP

Bahrain

Goalkeepers: Sayed Mohamed Jaafar, Abdulkarim Fardan, Ebrahim Lutfalla

Defenders: Amine Benaddi, Waleed Al-Hayam, Sayed Mahdy Baqer, Mohammed Abdul Qayoom, Ahmed Bughammar, Mohammed Adel, Abdulla Al Khalasi, Husain Al Eker

Midfielders: Mohamed Abdulwahab, Mohamed Hardan, Mohamed Marhoon, Kamil Al-Aswad, Ibrahim Al Khatal, Moses Jona, Jassim Al-Shaikh, Jasim Al-Salama, Ibrahim Al Wali

Forwards: Ali Jaafar Madan, Abdullah Yusuf Hilal, Ali Hasan Saeed Isa, Abdullah Duaij, Hazaa Ali, Mahdi Al-Humaidan

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Group F

Saudi Arabia

Goalkeepers: Nawaf Al Aqidi, Raghed Najjar, and Ahmed Al Kassar

Defenders: Hassan Kadish, Aoun Al Saluli, Ali Al-Bulaihi, Ali Lagami, Hassan Al-Tambakti, Saud Abdul Hamid, Fawaz Al Saqour, and Abdullah Al Khaybari

Midfielders: AbdulIlah Al Maliki, Mukhtar Ali, Faisal Al Ghamdi, Eid Al Mawlid, Salem Al Dawsari, Abbas Al Hassan, Nasser Al Dosari, Muhammad Kanno, and Sami Al Naji

Forwards: Fahd Al Mawlid, Ayman Yahya, Abdul Rahman Gharib, Firas Al Braikan, Abdullah Radif, Saleh Al Shehri

Saudi Arabia manager Roberto Mancini will have high expectations at the 2023 Asian Cup. AFP

Thailand

Goalkeepers: Patiwat Khammai, Siwarak Thesungnoen, Saranon Anuin

Defenders: Theerathon Bunmathan, Pansa Hemwiboon, Nicholas Mikkelson, Suphanan Burirat, Elias Doloh, Suphan Thongsong, Chakphan Praisuwan, Santiphap Channhom

Midfielders: Supachok Sarachat, Ekanit Panya, Bodin Phala, Pathompon Charoenrattanapirom, Worachit Kanitsribamphen, Sarach Yooyen, Kritsada Kaman, Peeradon Chamrasamee, Charoensak Wongkorn, Weerathep Pomphan, Rungrat Phumchantuek, Channarong Promsrikaew

Forwards: Supachai Jaided, Suphanat Mueanta, Teerasak Peiphimai

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Kyrgyzstan

Goalkeepers: Marsel Islamkulov, Erzhan Tokotaev, Sultan Chomoev, Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov

Defenders: Bakhtiyar Duyshobekov, Tamirlan Kozubaev, Kayrat Zhyrgalbek, Bekjan Sagynbaev, Ayzar Akmatov, Alexander Mischenko, Suiuntbek Mamyraliev, Khristiyan Brauzman, Amantur Shamurzaev

Midfielders: Farhat Musabekov, Odiljon Abdurahmanov, Gulzhigit Alykulov, Nurdolot Stalbekov, Azim Azarov, Atay Dzhumashev, Kimi Merk, Adil Kadyrzhanov

Forwards: Ernist Batyrkanov, Joel Kojo, Beknaz Almazbekov, Kai Merk, Dastanbek Toktosunov

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Oman

Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Al Mukhaini, Faiyz Al-Rushaidi, Ahmed Faraj Al-Rawahi

Defenders: Ghanim Al Habashi, Fahmi Said, Juma Al-Habsi, Ahmed Al-Khamisi, Ahmed Al Kaabi, Khalid Al-Braiki, Mahmood Mabrook, Abdulaziz Al Gheilani

Midfielders: Zahir Al-Aghbari, Omar Al-Malki, Jameel Al-Yahmadi, Abdullah Fawaz, Mataz Saleh, Musab Al Maamari, Harib Al-Saad, Tameem Al Balushi

Forwards: Issam Al Sabhi, Muhsen Al-Ghassani, Ali Al-Busaidi, Salah Al-Yahyaei, Abdullah Al Musherfy, Abdulrahman Al Meshifry

Oman produced their best Asian Cup showing in 2019 by reaching the last 16 in the UAE. AFP

Updated: January 06, 2024, 9:39 AM