Adding to the excitement of the biggest sporting event ever to be held in the UAE, there will also be a memorable photo opportunity with the dazzling new AFC Asian Cup trophy, which will be on display throughout the opening day. In addition, the first 50 attendees at the Interactive Roadshow will receive complimentary match tickets for the highly-anticipated tournament. 

The six-day event will take place in the Star Atrium in one of the world’s biggest shopping malls, Dubai Mall, which is big enough to fit 189 football pitches. While free to all during the August 26th debut and 31st August closing day, a nominal entry fee of Dh25 will be in place on subsequent days, which will include a match ticket to the 24-nation tournament in January. 

The Interactive Roadshow present passionate fans an opportunity to learn, play, show off their skills and engage with cutting-edge VR technology in three distinct zones of engagement: The Virtual Zone, The Skills Zone and The Victory Zone. 

Throughout each of the Interactive Roadshow days, the Virtual Zone will educate fans about Asia’s finest stars and the proud history of the AFC Asian Cup, bringing visitors on a thrilling journey across the UAE host cities using cutting-edge VR headsets. The Skills Zone will welcome fans of all abilities, enabling them to pit their skills in a series of accelerating challenges in a football simulator.

The Victory Zone features multiple interactive games that allow visitors to ignite their passion through augmented reality by running, cheering or acting as a spokesperson on behalf of their favorite team.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Tournament Director of the Local Organizing Committee said: “Through the power of sport, we want to connect communities and these Interactive Roadshows are the perfect way to deliver the excitement and energy of the AFC Asian Cup to people across the UAE.

“There is something for everybody at the roadshow, from fans and active footballers to people curious about the history of the sport. I’m sure the roadshows will be extremely popular as they’re a great way for people to learn and play their part in bringing Asia together for the biggest sporting event ever hosted in the region.”

Supporters attending the Interactive Roadshow can bring their excitement for the tournament online by sharing their experiences through social media, using #AsianCup2019 to join in the conversation. 

Tickets are available to purchase online via www.afcasiancup2019.com. Everyone taking part in the Interactive Roadshows can select tickets for any of the first-round group stage games, excluding the opening game between UAE and Bahrain.

After a record-setting group stage performance by Asian teams at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, the eyes of the football world now turn towards the UAE from January 5 – February 1, 2019.

The expanded competition, which is set to welcome an unprecedented 24 teams – eight more than the previous 2015 edition – will take place across eight world-class stadiums in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai and Sharjah, and promises to engage more fans than ever before in the biggest sporting event ever hosted in the region.

In support of the Local Organising Committee’s aim of ‘Bringing Asia Together’, group ticket packages allow businesses the chance to bring their employees, no matter their nationality or football knowledge, to celebrate Asia as one. This is the first ticket release from the LOC and offers groups the chance to reserve tickets before the 51 match, 24 nation tournament goes on general sale later this summer.

They may be the only Asian nation to reach the semi-final of a FIFA World Cup, and they may have participated in the tournament more than any other Asian side, but on the continental stage, Korea Republic have struggled to reach similar heights in recent times.

In the past 59 years Korea Republic have reached the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals on eight occasions and the final in four, yet Asia's most prestigious trophy remained elusive.

With the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 just 150 days away, the-AFC.com retraces the competition's previous winners and how it has progressed into the Continent's most prestigious football tournament.

The tournament had its roots in the formation of the Asian Football Confederation in Manila in 1954. The 12 founding members of the AFC sought to shape the development of the game in Asia and one of the keys to achieving that aim was the organisation of a regional competition for the continent’s national sides.

The AFC President said: “The Local Organising Committee has been working diligently to stage the best-ever AFC Asian Cup edition – one that reinforces the AFC’s Vision and Mission to deliver top-level competitions for our players, teams and passionate fans.

“On behalf of the Asian football family, I want to thank the LOC for sharing our aspirations of “Bringing Asia Together” and for the level of professionalism and dedication demonstrated throughout the planning and final preparation stages.”

To celebrate the 150-day countdown, the LOC has confirmed that registration for the much-anticipated volunteer programme will go live on August 31, 2018 where as many as 5,000 passionate football fans across Asia will have the chance to not only watch sporting history, but be a part of the biggest football event on the Continent.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced several additions to the Socceroos staff on Thursday as Australia’s senior men’s national football team transitions into a new era under one of the A-League’s most successful managers.

Highly experienced Dutch coach René Meulensteen has been appointed as an Assistant Coach to Arnold, while Andrew Clark (High Performance Coordinator (Sports Science), Phil Coles (High Performance Coordinator (Physiotherapy), and Doug Kors (Senior Technical Analyst) have also joined the Socceroos set-up.