Asian Cup 2027 Group E features four teams with plenty of international experience and contrasting footballing styles: Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Yemen.
Korea Republic enter the group as the clear favorite on paper, but the UAE and Vietnam are both capable of challenging for qualification. Yemen, meanwhile, secured the final place at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 and will return to the continental finals after missing the 2023 edition.
The AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 will be played from January 7 to February 5, 2027, with 24 teams divided into six groups of four. Group E matches are scheduled across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Teams
The four teams in Group E are:
| Position | Team | Code |
|---|---|---|
| E1 | Korea Republic | KOR |
| E2 | United Arab Emirates | UAE |
| E3 | Vietnam | VIE |
| E4 | Yemen | YEM |
The official AFC schedule originally displayed Lebanon/Yemen (L/Y) in the fourth position because the final qualifier had not yet been confirmed when the schedule was published. Yemen subsequently secured the final tournament berth by defeating Lebanon 2-0 and topping the Qualifiers Final Round Group B. The AFC confirmed that Yemen would join Korea Republic, UAE and Vietnam in Group E.
Group E therefore offers a fascinating mixture of East Asian, Southeast Asian and West Asian football.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Fixtures
The official AFC match schedule contains six Group E matches. With Yemen now confirmed as the final qualifier, the fixtures involving the L/Y placeholder become Yemen fixtures.
Matchday 1 — January 11, 2027
Korea Republic vs Yemen
- Date: January 11, 2027
- Venue: King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
- Group: E
United Arab Emirates vs Vietnam
- Date: January 11, 2027
- Venue: King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh
- Group: E
The opening matchday could immediately establish the early Group E hierarchy.
Korea Republic will be expected to challenge for three points against Yemen, while UAE vs Vietnam could be particularly important in the race for second place.
Group E Matchday 2
January 14, 2027
Vietnam vs Korea Republic
- Date: January 14, 2027
- Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh
- Group: E
January 15, 2027
Yemen vs United Arab Emirates
- Date: January 15, 2027
- Venue: King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh
- Group: E
The second matchday could be decisive.
Vietnam face Korea Republic, while Yemen take on the UAE. Depending on the opening results, these matches could determine which teams remain in control of their qualification hopes.
Group E Matchday 3
January 18, 2027
Korea Republic vs United Arab Emirates
- Date: January 18, 2027
- Venue: King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh
- Group: E
Vietnam vs Yemen
- Date: January 18, 2027
- Venue: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
- Group: E
The final matchday will determine the final Group E standings.
Korea Republic vs UAE could be a major match if both teams are competing for first place or direct qualification. Vietnam vs Yemen could also have major implications for the second and third positions.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Schedule
Here is the complete Group E fixture list:
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 2027 | Korea Republic vs Yemen | King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah |
| Jan 11, 2027 | UAE vs Vietnam | King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh |
| Jan 14, 2027 | Vietnam vs Korea Republic | Kingdom Arena, Riyadh |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Yemen vs UAE | King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh |
| Jan 18, 2027 | Korea Republic vs UAE | King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh |
| Jan 18, 2027 | Vietnam vs Yemen | Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah |
These matchups and venue assignments are based on the official AFC match schedule, with the published L/Yplaceholder updated to Yemen following Yemen’s qualification.
Republic of Korea in Asian Cup 2027 Group E
The Republic are the leading contender in Group E.
The South Korean national team has a long and successful history in the AFC Asian Cup, including titles in 1956 and 1960. The team will be aiming to add another continental championship to its record.
Korea Republic also have significant recent tournament experience, regularly competing deep into major Asian competitions.
Korea Republic’s Group E Matches
- Korea Republic vs Yemen — January 11
- Vietnam vs Korea Republic — January 14
- Korea Republic vs UAE — January 18
The match against Vietnam could be particularly interesting because Vietnam have become one of Southeast Asia’s strongest national teams.
The final game against UAE could potentially decide the Group E winner.
Korea Republic’s Objective
The primary objective will be to finish first in Group E and advance to the Round of 16 with maximum confidence.
With their squad depth and tournament experience, the Republic are expected to be one of the teams challenging for the Asian Cup title.
United Arab Emirates in Asian Cup 2027 Group E
The United Arab Emirates are another experienced Asian football nation in Group E.
The UAE have hosted the AFC Asian Cup multiple times and finished as runners-up in 1996. They also reached the semi-finals in 2019.
Their Group E campaign starts against Vietnam.
UAE’s Group E Matches
- UAE vs Vietnam — January 11
- Yemen vs UAE — January 15
- Republic of Korea vs UAE — January 18
The opening match against Vietnam could be extremely important.
A victory would give UAE early momentum, while a defeat would immediately increase the pressure before the Yemen match.
The final game against the Republic could potentially determine the top two positions.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E, Vietnam
Vietnam will be one of the teams to watch closely.
Vietnam have made significant progress in Asian football over recent years and have developed into a competitive side capable of challenging higher-ranked opponents.
Their Group E schedule gives them three very different challenges.
Vietnam’s Group E Matches
- UAE vs Vietnam — January 11
- Vietnam vs Korea Republic — January 14
- Vietnam vs Yemen — January 18
The opening match against UAE is likely to be crucial.
If Vietnam can take points from that fixture, they could enter the Korea Republic game with confidence.
The final match against Yemen could then become extremely important for qualification.
Yemen in Asian Cup 2027 Group E
Yemen are the newest addition to the Group E lineup.
The AFC confirmed Yemen as the 24th and final team to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027. Yemen defeated Lebanon 2-0 in their final qualifying match and finished top of Qualifiers Final Round Group B with 14 points.
Yemen will return to the Asian Cup finals after missing the 2023 edition.
Yemen’s Group E Matches
- Korea Republic vs Yemen — January 11
- Yemen vs UAE — January 15
- Vietnam vs Yemen — January 18
Yemen face a difficult opening match against Korea Republic.
However, the games against UAE and Vietnam could provide opportunities to collect valuable points.
A strong defensive performance and efficient counterattacking could be important for Yemen in this group.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Standings
Before the tournament begins, all four Group E teams start with zero points.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Korea Republic | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | United Arab Emirates | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Vietnam | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Yemen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
P = Played
W = Wins
D = Draws
L = Losses
GF = Goals For
GA = Goals Against
GD = Goal Difference
Pts = Points
This table should be updated after every Group E match during the tournament.
How Qualification From Group E Works
The AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 has six groups containing four teams each.
Every Group E team plays three group-stage matches.
The qualification system is:
- 1st place: Advances to the Round of 16
- 2nd place: Advances to the Round of 16
- 3rd place: Can qualify as one of the four best third-placed teams
- 4th place: Eliminated
This format means a team finishing third can still reach the knockout stage.
As a result, goal difference and goals scored could become extremely important when comparing third-placed teams from different groups.
Group E Qualification Scenarios
Group E Winner
The team finishing first qualifies directly for the Round of 16.
Group E Runner-Up
The second-placed team also advances automatically.
Third Place
The third-placed team must be compared with the third-placed teams from the other five groups.
Only the four best third-placed teams qualify.
Fourth Place
The team finishing fourth is eliminated.
This makes the final Group E matchday especially important.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Prediction
On paper, Korea Republic are the strongest team in Group E.
A possible pre-tournament prediction is:
| Predicted Position | Team |
|---|---|
| 1st | Korea Republic |
| 2nd | United Arab Emirates |
| 3rd | Vietnam |
| 4th | Yemen |
However, Vietnam could challenge UAE for second place, particularly if they get a positive result in their opening match.
Yemen are likely to be the underdogs, but their qualification campaign demonstrated that they cannot be taken lightly.
International tournaments regularly produce surprises, so the final standings will be decided on the pitch rather than by predictions.
Key Asian Cup 2027 Group E Matches
Korea Republic vs Yemen
January 11, 2027 — King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
This is Korea Republic’s opening match.
The South Korean side will be expected to control the game, while Yemen will attempt to make the match difficult and potentially produce an upset.
UAE vs Vietnam
January 11, 2027 — King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh
This could be one of the most important Group E fixtures.
Both teams will have realistic ambitions of reaching the knockout stage, making the opening three points extremely valuable.
Vietnam vs Korea Republic
January 14, 2027 — Kingdom Arena, Riyadh
Vietnam will face their toughest opponent in the group.
A positive result against Korea Republic could significantly improve Vietnam’s chances of reaching the Round of 16.
Yemen vs UAE
January 15, 2027 — King Fahd Sports City Stadium, Riyadh
This match could be crucial for the qualification race.
The UAE will be targeting three points, while Yemen will hope to take advantage of the opportunity to earn points against a direct competitor.
Korea Republic vs UAE
January 18, 2027 — King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh
This could be the headline match of the final Group E matchday.
Depending on the earlier results, it could potentially decide the group winner.
Vietnam vs Yemen
January 18, 2027 — Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, Jeddah
Vietnam and Yemen will meet on the final matchday.
If qualification is still undecided, this could be a hugely important fixture.
Group E Stadiums
Group E matches will be played across Riyadh and Jeddah.
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
Location: Jeddah
Tournament capacity: approximately 60,000
Scheduled Group E match:
- Korea Republic vs Yemen
King Saud University Stadium
Location: Riyadh
Tournament capacity: approximately 26,000
Scheduled Group E matches:
- UAE vs Vietnam
- Korea Republic vs UAE
Kingdom Arena
Location: Riyadh
Tournament capacity: approximately 26,000
Scheduled Group E match:
- Vietnam vs Korea Republic
King Fahd Sports City Stadium
Location: Riyadh
Tournament capacity: approximately 72,000
Scheduled Group E match:
- Yemen vs UAE
Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium
Location: Jeddah
Tournament capacity: approximately 26,000
Scheduled Group E match:
- Vietnam vs Yemen
The venue assignments and listed capacities come from the official AFC match schedule.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Live Scores and Results
During the tournament, this page can be updated with:
- Group E live scores
- Final match results
- Goalscorers
- Yellow cards
- Red cards
- Starting lineups
- Substitutions
- Group standings
- Goal difference
- Qualification scenarios
- Third-place calculations
Because all four teams play only three group matches, every result can have a major effect on the standings.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Live Streaming
Fans searching for Asian Cup 2027 Group E live streaming should use official broadcasters and licensed streaming platforms available in their country.
Broadcasting rights can vary by territory and may be updated before the tournament.
Our AFC Asian Cup coverage can include information about:
- Korea Republic live streaming
- UAE live streaming
- Vietnam live streaming
- Yemen live streaming
- Asian Cup TV channels
- Asian Cup online streaming
- Where to watch Asian Cup 2027
- Country-specific broadcasters
Fans should check the official broadcaster available in their territory before matchday.
Avoid unauthorized streaming websites and use legitimate broadcasters and streaming services whenever available.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E Results
This section can be updated during the tournament.
January 11, 2027
Korea Republic vs Yemen — Result TBC
UAE vs Vietnam — Result TBC
January 14, 2027
Vietnam vs Korea Republic — Result TBC
January 15, 2027
Yemen vs UAE — Result TBC
January 18, 2027
Korea Republic vs UAE — Result TBC
Vietnam vs Yemen — Result TBC
After each match, add the final score, goalscorers and updated Group E standings.
Why Asian Cup 2027 Group E Could Be Exciting
Group E contains several teams with very different footballing identities.
Korea Republic bring extensive tournament experience and are likely to be among the leading contenders.
The UAE have experience of competing at the highest level in Asian football and will be targeting a knockout-stage place.
Vietnam have developed into a competitive Southeast Asian side and could make the group uncomfortable for the favorites.
Yemen enter as the underdogs but arrive after an impressive qualifying campaign in which they topped their final-round group.
The UAE vs Vietnam match on the opening matchday could therefore be particularly important.
Asian Cup 2027 Group E FAQs
Who is in Asian Cup 2027 Group E?
Group E consists of Korea Republic, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Yemen.
When does Asian Cup 2027 Group E start?
Group E begins on January 11, 2027, with Korea Republic vs Yemen and UAE vs Vietnam.
Who are the favorites in Group E?
Korea Republic are the leading pre-tournament favorite in Group E. UAE and Vietnam are expected to compete for the remaining qualification positions.
When does Korea Republic play Yemen?
Korea Republic face Yemen on January 11, 2027, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
When does UAE play Vietnam?
The UAE play Vietnam on January 11, 2027, at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.
When does Vietnam play Korea Republic?
Vietnam face Korea Republic on January 14, 2027, at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
When does Yemen play UAE?
Yemen face the UAE on January 15, 2027, at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.
When does Korea Republic play UAE?
Korea Republic play UAE on January 18, 2027, at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.
When does Vietnam play Yemen?
Vietnam face Yemen on January 18, 2027, at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
When is the final Group E matchday?
The final Group E matches are scheduled for January 18, 2027: Korea Republic vs UAE and Vietnam vs Yemen.
How many teams qualify from Group E?
The top two teams qualify automatically for the Round of 16. The third-placed team can also qualify if it is among the four best third-placed teams across the six groups.
Why did the AFC schedule originally show Lebanon/Yemen?
The official match schedule was published before the final qualifying place was decided, so it used L/Y (Lebanon/Yemen) as a placeholder. Yemen later defeated Lebanon 2-0 and became the 24th and final team to qualify, so Yemen now occupies that Group E position.
Final Thoughts
Asian Cup 2027 Group E could become one of the most interesting groups of the tournament.
Korea Republic enter as the clear favorite, but UAE and Vietnam both have realistic knockout-stage ambitions. Yemen, meanwhile, will be hoping their successful qualifying campaign can translate into a strong performance on the continental stage.
The opening fixtures on January 11, followed by the second round of matches on January 14 and 15, will establish the qualification picture. The final games on January 18 could then decide the group winner and the teams advancing to the Round of 16.
For fans following the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, this page can serve as a central resource for Group E fixtures, schedule, results, standings, venues, qualification scenarios and live-streaming information.
Keep this page updated throughout the tournament for the latest Asian Cup 2027 Group E standings, results, live scores and qualification scenarios.
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