After shortlisting the thousands of entries in phase one, each nation was then given a selection of three catchphrases to choose from in the second phase, which ended on November 1, 2018.

The month-long contest, which was launched to give football fans the opportunity to showcase their passion and be a part of the continental showpiece, was a major hit on social media with the second phase receiving over 105,000 votes across the AFC’s digital platforms.

Islamic Republic of Iran led the Continent in engagement numbers, garnering over 25,000 votes, with the winning slogan – Eighty Million People, One Nation, One Heartbeat – securing over 11,000 votes.

Stange’s team have been drawn to face Australia – who ended Syria’s hopes of a debut World Cup appearance – Palestine and Jordan in Group B of the 2019 edition of the Continental showpiece, with the Syrians kicking off their campaign against the Palestinians in Sharjah on January 6.

And as they seek to build on the performances that took the country into the play-off phase of qualifying for Russia 2018, Stange stresses the desire to succeed comes from within the playing group.

Adib Nammour arrived to the UAE from Syria 14 years ago, and has since made it his permanent home. In the first episode of this series by Asian expats showcasing their adopted home, we discover Abu Dhabi in Nammour's own words.

As the build-up to the Continent’s ultimate showpiece hits fever pitch, passionate fans from all walks of life, across all nationalities are coming together to showcase their support for their teams in the UAE.

Epitomising the attributes of a die-hard fan is none other than Hajar Khalid, the 17-year old who fits the bill of a true Playmaker, on and off the pitch.

Having played the game since the age of four, the Iraqi footballer and school captain is putting her leadership skills to further use as a community ambassador, becoming the 600th Playmaker for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.

The Central Asians are in Group C alongside Korea Republic, China PR and fellow first-time qualifiers the Philippine, but, while aware of the scale of the challenge ahead, Krestinin told the-AFC.com he is confident of a successful campaign in the United Arab Emirates.

"We understand our level, and the level of the AFC Asian Cup," the 40-year-old explained. "We must be competitively capable, and we have everything to be able to do that."

The AFC Asian Cup logos have transformed in every edition to showcase the distinctiveness of its host nation and the diversity of the Asian culture.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) are among just five Asian nations to have hosted the competition twice and the logos mark contrasting styles from when the West Asians first staged the competition in 1996.

The 1996 slogan depicted a rising nation from the West, showcasing the dynamism of the country’s three host cities – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Ain as well as the unity of the Continent.

Queiroz, preparing Iran for what Team Melli hope will be a first AFC Asian Cup title since 1976, will announce his final squad on December 15 ahead of the training camp in Doha, Qatar.

Iran are also scheduled to play a friendly match with Qatar during the training camp.

Three-time champions Iran are in Group D of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 along with Iraq, Yemen and Vietnam.