After 16 editions and nearly 63 years, UAE 2019 signals a decisive shift for football in Asia after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) announced some of the most significant changes and ground-breaking innovations in the history of the tournament.

Most recently, the AFC Executive Committee at its meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan approved the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which will be implemented at some stage during the tournament, further underlining its commitment to embrace technological advances for the growth of Asian football.

For the first time, a record 24 teams will compete for the ultimate prize and the expanded format means teams from all five AFC zones are represented, which has also paved the way for Kyrgyz Republic, the Philippines and Yemen to mark their historic debut on Asia’s biggest stage.

After approval from FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) and consultation with the AFC Competitions and Referees Departments, the AFC Executive Committee approved the implementation of VAR at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 – pending final confirmation that all necessary preparation is in place.

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC President, said: “Asian football is determined to embrace technology for the good of the game and we are looking into the introduction of VAR at some stage during the AFC’s pinnacle competition – the AFC Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

“We saw the VAR first hand during the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and it was clear to everyone that there needed to be a great deal of training of officials and investment in facilities to make sure that the system was effective and a positive addition to the game.

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AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “Asian football continues to make giant strides on the world stage and the remarkable growth and stature of the AFC Asian Cup exemplifies the undeniable progress of football in the Continent. Emirates have been a long-standing partner of the AFC and we would like to thank them for their firm belief in the development and ever-improving proposition of Asian football.

“Through this partnership with Emirates Holidays, we are confident that we will engage with more families, more passionate fans of all ages, from across all the five AFC regions and beyond. Together with the LOC and Emirates Holidays, the AFC is committed to staging an AFC Asian Cup of world class standards – a true celebration of Bringing Asia Together.”

Through the partnership, Emirates Holidays will offer a broad range of excellent value packages to football fans traveling to Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah to support their teams. Each package has been designed for country specific football fans which includes match ticket(s), accommodation and return flights with Emirates Airline.

The Al Nahyan Stadium will host its first match in style when Thailand take on India in Group A on Sunday, January 6, 2019 at 5:30pm UAE time. The third stadium in Abu Dhabi - Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium – will take centre-stage on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 8:00pm with Asia’s top ranked side Islamic Republic of Iran taking on Yemen in Group D’s opening match.

Australia’s title defence opener against Jordan will be the first Group B match in Al Ain at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on January 6, 2019 at 3:00pm and the city’s second stadium - Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium - will host its first match between China PR and Asian Cup debutants Kyrgyz Republic in Group C on January 7, 2019 at 3:00pm.

Sharjah Stadium, the sole venue in the Emirate of Sharjah, will welcome the competition when Syria take on Palestine in Group B on January 6, 2019 at 8:00pm.

Dubai’s Rashid Stadium will be the stage for the Group E opener between Saudi Arabia and DPR Korea on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 8:00pm with Korea Republic and the Philippines opening their Group C campaign at the Al Maktoum Stadium on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 5:30pm.

The ultimate champions of Asia will be crowned on Friday, February 1, 2019 at 6pm UAE time at the Zayed Sports City Stadium.

Islamic Republic of Iran legend Ali Daei was excited with the result of the draw, describing it as one that promises much action next January.

Held at the Armani Hotel in Dubai's iconic Burj Khalifa, the Final Draw was a glittering affair. Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the composition of the six groups.

In a grand spectacle at the United Arab Emirates Burj Khalifa, hosts UAE, who were positioned in first place in Group A, will kick-off Asia’s most prestigious tournament against Bahrain at the Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 5, 2019.

The host nation will be looking to improve on their second place finish the last time the competition was held in the UAE in 1996, but will face formidable opponents in India and Thailand who complete the cast in Group A.

Meanwhile defending champions Australia were drawn in Group B with 2004 and 2011 quarter-finalists Jordan, Palestine, and Syria, who return to the competition following their absence in Australia 2015.

Continent powerhouses and 2015 finalists Korea Republic, who are on the hunt for their first title since 1960, were drawn in Group C with two-time runners-up China PR as well as two debutants in the UAE 2019 - Kyrgyz Republic and Philippines.