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.

While Asia’s top five teams have just finished their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia campaign, the rest have begun preparations for the Continental showpiece on January 5-February 1, 2019.

Adding to the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 will be several debutants and join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the cast for Groups A, B and C.

The expanded AFC Asian Cup 2019 will see 24 teams in action, which sets the stage for exciting matches in the Continental showpiece and the-AFC.com takes a look at Groups D, E and F.

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.”

The mascots were chosen for embodying the undeniable passion for football that exists in the UAE and across the Continent as well as the strong connection with the country’s culture.

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, Tournament Director of the Local Organising Committee, announced his pleasure at unveiling the official mascots for the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 at the final draw ceremony: “The Local Organising Committee are very excited and convinced Mansour and Jarrah will play an important role in representing the essence of Emirati culture to capture the imagination of the fans. We sincerely hope Mansour and Jarrah will leave a legacy to inspire love for football among tomorrow’s generation.