As the excitement builds to the most eagerly-anticipated spectacle for football fans in the Continent, AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John was joined by H.E. Aref Hamed Al Awani, AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee at the AFC House in the Malaysian capital, where they held a giant replica ticket to showcase the biggest sporting event ever hosted in the UAE.

AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “The UAE has a proven track record of delivering world class sporting events to the highest level and we have been impressed with the progress made by the UAE Local Organising Committee as we enter the final preparations for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019™.

“The AFC, along with the LOC are fully committed towards providing the ultimate stage to showcase the undeniable talent in Asia. I am confident that by Bringing Asia Together, our teams, players and ultimately our passionate fans will experience a tournament of a lifetime.”

Over the next few months the LOC is seeking to recruit 100 enthusiastic community ambassadors to deliver the message of the approaching tournament. Known as ‘Playmakers’ after the important role of midfield players who act as the engines for their team, distributing and setting others up for success, the 100-strong group will share the tournament’s vision of ‘Bringing Asia Together’ and by doing so help to deliver the most accessible, connected and successful AFC Asian Cup in history.

Open now to candidates by contacting community@asiancup19.ae, the initiative is seeking the most social, passionate and influential people residing in the UAE from each of the 24 competing nations to officially sign-up and play a pivotal role as honorary envoys.

Amongst the first Playmakers to be recruited are Emirati ex-professional footballer Ahmed Al Balooshi, Jessica Cullen, a prodigious 15-year-old Australian footballer, and Japanese superfan Shinya Nakamura, demonstrating the variety of international fans and opportunities that exist for all members of society.

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.

Children from all communities were united by football fever. But it was those belonging to the Indian, Chinese and Thai communities who enjoyed a special surprise as they came face to face with their own national heroes who dropped in for the unique event hosted by the tournament’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC).

The occasion perfectly embodied the spirit of the competition and brought to life the tournament theme of ‘Bringing Asia Together’. The event saw current captain of India, Sunil Chhetri, China’s former national great Sun Jihai and Thai legend – Pipat Thonkanya join forces to showcase their talents to the young fans.

To their delight the children got to go far beyond watching on or securing precious autographs as the legends encouraged the youngsters to take part in an AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Crossbar challenge and skills demo before posing for photographs beneath the iconic Burj Khalifa, Dubai.

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.

The new trophy was unveiled by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and former UAE international Zuhair Bakheet during the glittering AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Draw at the Burj Khalifa.

Designed and made by world renowned silversmiths Thomas Lyte of London, the new trophy eloquently communicates the powerful spirit of football’s second oldest continental football competition.

Thomas Lyte craftsmen have designed and made globally some of the most iconic sporting trophies and the new AFC Asian Cup took these makers over 450 hours to craft, passing through the hands of 12 different craftsmen.

AFC President Shaikh Salman said: “Since 1956 we have had the same trophy and in keeping with the new and exciting future of the competition, the AFC decided to commission a new trophy, one that captures the excitement and drama of the tournament ahead.

“The AFC has trusted Thomas Lyte for all of our trophy designs since 1997 and I am happy to see this relationship flourish with this magnificent trophy which is fitting of the crowning jewel of the AFC’s competitions.”

The ultimate winners at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on February 1, 2019, will receive an impressive USD$5 million.

The AFC President, who made the announcement during the dazzling AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 Final Draw at the United Arab Emirates’ Burj Khalifa, said: “Tonight, we celebrate a new chapter in the glorious history of the Asian Cup here in the UAE.

“This is the second time the UAE has staged this competition and the fact that the competition has now doubled in size demonstrates how far Asian football has progressed in 22 years.

“In addition to more teams and more opportunities, the AFC wants to reward success. I am pleased to announce tonight that the prize money for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will total almost 15 million dollars and the winners of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 will collect 5 million dollars.”