The AFC Asian Cup has produced some of the greatest goalscorers in Asian football history. Since the first edition in 1956, legendary forwards and attacking players from across the continent have competed for the prestigious title while creating their own place in Asian football history. AFC Asian Cup Top Goal Scorers. From Iran’s legendary striker Ali Daei to Korea Republic’s Lee Dong-gook, Japan’s Naohiro Takahara, Qatar’s Almoez Ali, UAE star Ali Mabkhout, and modern superstar Akram Afif, the Asian Cup has witnessed many remarkable goalscoring performances.
The all-time scoring record is particularly impressive because the tournament is played only once every four years. Players therefore have relatively few opportunities to build a large goals tally.
As of the end of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, played from January 12 to February 10, 2024, Ali Daei remains the all-time leading scorer with 14 goals. Qatar’s Almoez Ali is second with 11, while Korea Republic legend Lee Dong-gook has 10.
The following article provides a detailed list of the AFC Asian Cup Top Goal Scorers history, their countries, tournament appearances and important records.
AFC Asian Cup All-Time Top Scorers
| Rank | Player | Country | Asian Cup Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ali Daei | Iran | 14 |
| 2 | Almoez Ali | Qatar | 11 |
| 3 | Lee Dong-gook | Korea Republic | 10 |
| 4 | Naohiro Takahara | Japan | 9 |
| 4 | Ali Mabkhout | UAE | 9 |
| 4 | Akram Afif | Qatar | 9 |
| 7 | Jasem Al-Huwaidi | Kuwait | 8 |
| 7 | Younis Mahmoud | Iraq | 8 |
| 7 | Sardar Azmoun | Iran | 8 |
| 10 | Hossein Kalani | Iran | 7 |
| 10 | Faisal Al-Dakhil | Kuwait | 7 |
| 10 | Behtash Fariba | Iran | 7 |
| 10 | Choi Soon-ho | Korea Republic | 7 |
| 10 | Son Heung-min | Korea Republic | 7 |
The historical rankings show the extraordinary consistency of players such as Daei, Lee, Takahara and the more recent Qatar stars.
1. Ali Daei – Iran – 14 Goals
Ali Daei is the all-time leading goalscorer in AFC Asian Cup history.
The Iranian legend scored 14 goals across three Asian Cup tournaments:
- 1996
- 2000
- 2004
Daei’s record has remained intact despite several generations of outstanding Asian forwards attempting to catch him.
His most remarkable tournament came in 1996, when he scored eight goals. That remains one of the greatest individual scoring campaigns in Asian Cup history.
Daei’s eight-goal performance in 1996 was the single-edition record until Qatar’s Almoez Ali scored nine goals in 2019.
Daei was not simply a goalscorer. He was also one of Iran’s most important leaders and became one of the most famous footballers in Asian history.
His combination of height, heading ability, positioning and finishing made him extremely difficult for defenders to control.
Ali Daei Asian Cup Record
| Tournament | Goals |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 8 |
| 2000 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
2. Almoez Ali – Qatar – 11 Goals
Qatar’s Almoez Ali is now the second-highest goalscorer in AFC Asian Cup history.
His rise up the all-time table was driven by his extraordinary performance at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Ali scored nine goals during Qatar’s title-winning campaign, breaking Ali Daei’s previous record of eight goals in a single edition. The AFC confirmed that his ninth goal in the 2019 final against Japan established a new single-tournament record.
He subsequently added goals during the 2023 tournament to bring his overall Asian Cup tally to 11.
Almoez Ali’s Asian Cup Appearances
- 2019 – 9 goals
- 2023 – 2 goals
- Total – 11 goals
His record is particularly impressive because he achieved 11 goals in only two editions.
Ali’s 2019 tournament remains one of the most dominant individual campaigns in Asian Cup history.
3. Lee Dong-gook – Korea Republic – 10 Goals
Korea Republic striker Lee Dong-gook is third on the all-time list with 10 goals.
Lee appeared in three editions:
- 2000
- 2004
- 2007
His most productive tournament was the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, when he scored six goals and finished as the tournament’s leading scorer. The official AFC history records Lee as the 2000 top scorer with six goals.
Lee’s longevity allowed him to remain among the competition’s greatest scorers even after his retirement.
The AFC has described him as one of the tournament’s greatest goalscorers and noted his 14-goal tally in another AFC competition, but his Asian Cup finals total is 10 goals.
4. Naohiro Takahara – Japan – 9 Goals
Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara scored nine AFC Asian Cup goals.
He represented Japan in:
- 2000
- 2007
Takahara’s scoring record is notable because he reached nine goals despite playing in only two editions.
His goals helped Japan remain one of the most successful teams in Asian Cup history.
Japan’s strong attacking tradition has produced several prolific Asian Cup scorers, but Takahara remains the country’s highest-ranked player in the all-time list.
4. Ali Mabkhout – UAE – 9 Goals
United Arab Emirates striker Ali Mabkhout also finished his Asian Cup career with nine goals.
His Asian Cup appearances included:
- 2015
- 2019
- 2023
Before the 2023 tournament, the AFC described Mabkhout as having nine goals and being third on the all-time list behind Ali Daei and Lee Dong-gook.
Mabkhout was one of the UAE’s most important attacking players during the 2010s.
He won the Golden Boot at the 2015 tournament after scoring five goals and remained a major threat during subsequent editions.
4. Akram Afif – Qatar – 9 Goals
Qatar’s Akram Afif has established himself as one of the most influential attacking players in modern Asian football.
Afif has scored nine Asian Cup goals across the 2019 and 2023 editions.
His most spectacular tournament came in 2023, when Qatar successfully defended its title.
Afif scored eight goals during the competition and won both the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards.
His most memorable performance came in the final against Jordan, where he scored a hat-trick of penalties as Qatar won 3–1.
That performance made him one of the defining figures of the 2023 Asian Cup.
7. Jasem Al-Huwaidi – Kuwait – 8 Goals
Kuwait striker Jasem Al-Huwaidi scored eight goals in Asian Cup finals.
He played in:
- 1996
- 2000
Four of his eight goals came during the 1996 edition, demonstrating his importance to Kuwait’s attack.
Al-Huwaidi remains one of Kuwait’s most successful Asian Cup goalscorers.
7. Younis Mahmoud – Iraq – 8 Goals
Younis Mahmoud is one of the most famous footballers in Iraqi history.
He scored eight Asian Cup goals across four editions:
- 2004
- 2007
- 2011
- 2015
His greatest achievement came in 2007, when he captained Iraq to their first Asian Cup championship.
Mahmoud scored in the final against Saudi Arabia and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
His leadership and goals made him one of the defining players of the 2007 tournament.
7. Sardar Azmoun – Iran – 8 Goals
Iranian forward Sardar Azmoun has scored eight goals in AFC Asian Cup finals.
His appearances include:
- 2015
- 2019
- 2023
Azmoun was one of Iran’s most dangerous attacking players during the 2010s and early 2020s.
His movement, aerial ability and finishing made him a consistent threat against Asian opposition.
His eight-goal total places him alongside Al-Huwaidi and Mahmoud among the tournament’s all-time leading scorers.
Players With 7 AFC Asian Cup Goals
Several legendary players have scored seven goals in the tournament.
Hossein Kalani – Iran
Iranian striker Hossein Kalani scored seven goals across the 1968 and 1972 editions.
He was also the top scorer at the 1972 tournament with five goals.
Faisal Al-Dakhil – Kuwait
Kuwait’s Faisal Al-Dakhil scored seven goals across three editions:
- 1976
- 1980
- 1984
He was an important attacking figure during Kuwait’s golden period in Asian football.
Behtash Fariba – Iran
Iranian forward Behtash Fariba scored seven goals at the 1980 Asian Cup alone.
He shared the tournament’s Golden Boot with Korea Republic’s Choi Soon-ho, with both players scoring seven times.
Choi Soon-ho – Korea Republic
Korea Republic’s Choi Soon-ho also scored seven goals at the 1980 Asian Cup.
His performance remains one of the most prolific single-edition campaigns in Asian Cup history.
Son Heung-min – Korea Republic
Modern Korean superstar Son Heung-min has scored seven Asian Cup goals.
His tournament appearances include:
- 2011
- 2015
- 2019
- 2023
Son’s presence on the list demonstrates his consistency at international level.
Despite playing across four editions, he has not yet reached the scoring totals of Lee Dong-gook or Almoez Ali.
Top 10 All-Time Asian Cup Scoring Positions
Because several players are tied on the same number of goals, the ranking contains more than ten players.
| Position | Player | Country | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ali Daei | Iran | 14 |
| 2 | Almoez Ali | Qatar | 11 |
| 3 | Lee Dong-gook | Korea Republic | 10 |
| 4 | Naohiro Takahara | Japan | 9 |
| 4 | Ali Mabkhout | UAE | 9 |
| 4 | Akram Afif | Qatar | 9 |
| 7 | Jasem Al-Huwaidi | Kuwait | 8 |
| 7 | Younis Mahmoud | Iraq | 8 |
| 7 | Sardar Azmoun | Iran | 8 |
| 10 | Hossein Kalani | Iran | 7 |
| 10 | Faisal Al-Dakhil | Kuwait | 7 |
| 10 | Behtash Fariba | Iran | 7 |
| 10 | Choi Soon-ho | Korea Republic | 7 |
| 10 | Son Heung-min | Korea Republic | 7 |
This table reflects Asian Cup finals goals, not qualifying matches or other AFC competitions.
Ali Daei vs Almoez Ali: The Record Battle
One of the most interesting recent stories in Asian Cup football has been the possibility of Almoez Ali overtaking Ali Daei.
Daei finished his Asian Cup career with 14 goals.
Almoez entered the 2023 tournament with 10 goals and needed five more to equal Daei’s record.
However, he scored two goals in the tournament and finished with 11, leaving Daei’s record intact.
This means Daei remains three goals ahead of Almoez.
With Almoez’s future participation uncertain, Daei’s record could remain in place for many years.
Highest Goals in a Single AFC Asian Cup Tournament
The all-time career scoring list is different from the record for goals in one tournament.
The single-edition record belongs to Almoez Ali, who scored nine goals in 2019.
| Goals | Player | Country | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Almoez Ali | Qatar | 2019 |
| 8 | Ali Daei | Iran | 1996 |
| 8 | Akram Afif | Qatar | 2023 |
| 7 | Behtash Fariba | Iran | 1980 |
| 7 | Choi Soon-ho | Korea Republic | 1980 |
| 6 | Lee Dong-gook | Korea Republic | 2000 |
| 6 | Aymen Hussein | Iraq | 2023 |
| 5 | Hossein Kalani | Iran | 1972 |
| 5 | Ali Karimi | Iran | 2004 |
| 5 | A’ala Hubail | Bahrain | 2004 |
| 5 | Koo Ja-cheol | Korea Republic | 2011 |
| 5 | Ali Mabkhout | UAE | 2015 |
The AFC’s historical records confirm Almoez Ali’s nine-goal 2019 campaign and Daei’s eight-goal 1996 tournament.
AFC Asian Cup 2023 Top Scorers
The latest completed edition produced several outstanding scoring performances.
The 2023 tournament, officially known as the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, was played in early 2024.
The leading scorers were:
| Rank | Player | Country | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akram Afif | Qatar | 8 |
| 2 | Aymen Hussein | Iraq | 6 |
| 3 | Ayase Ueda | Japan | 4 |
| 3 | Yazan Al-Naimat | Jordan | 4 |
| 5 | Several players | Various | 3 |
The tournament produced 132 goals in 51 matches. Qatar defeated Jordan 3–1 in the final, with Afif scoring all three of Qatar’s goals.
Countries With the Most Players in the All-Time Scoring List
Iran has produced a particularly large number of legendary Asian Cup goalscorers.
Among the leading historical scorers are:
- Ali Daei
- Sardar Azmoun
- Hossein Kalani
- Faisal Al-Dakhil
- Behtash Fariba
- Ali Jabbari
- Ali Karimi
Korea Republic and Japan have also produced several prolific scorers.
Qatar has recently become particularly prominent, with both Almoez Ali and Akram Afif now among the leading players in Asian Cup history.
Most Successful Modern Asian Cup Goal Scorers
The modern era has seen an impressive group of attacking players.
Almoez Ali
Known for his 2019 record-breaking campaign.
Akram Afif
A creative forward who combined goals and assists during Qatar’s back-to-back championships.
Sardar Azmoun
One of Iran’s most productive modern Asian Cup forwards.
Son Heung-min
One of the world’s most recognizable Asian players and a consistent scorer for Korea Republic.
Ali Mabkhout
A UAE legend who remained among the competition’s elite scorers for multiple editions.
Why Scoring in the Asian Cup Is Difficult
The Asian Cup takes place only once every four years, making it difficult for players to build huge career totals.
A player who participates in three editions may have only nine or ten group-stage matches plus knockout games.
Injuries, selection decisions and national-team form can also affect appearances.
This makes Ali Daei’s 14-goal record particularly impressive.
It also explains why players such as Almoez Ali and Lee Dong-gook are regarded as exceptional tournament goalscorers.
Asian Cup Golden Boot vs All-Time Top Scorer
These two terms are often confused.
Golden Boot
The Golden Boot is awarded to the player who scores the most goals in a single edition of the Asian Cup.
All-Time Top Scorer
The all-time list counts the total number of goals a player has scored across all AFC Asian Cup final tournaments.
For example:
- Ali Daei – 14 career Asian Cup goals
- Almoez Ali – 11 career Asian Cup goals
- Akram Afif – 9 career Asian Cup goals
Meanwhile, Almoez Ali holds the single-edition record with nine goals in 2019.
AFC Asian Cup Top GoalScorers and the 2027 Tournament
The next edition will be the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, scheduled to take place in January and February 2027.
The tournament will provide an opportunity for active players to improve their career totals.
Several established Asian forwards could potentially move higher on the all-time list if they participate and score.
However, the 2027 tournament has not yet been played, so no 2027 goals should be added to the historical table at this stage.
The current all-time record therefore remains:
Ali Daei – 14 goals.
AFC Asian Cup Best Player Award
Who Can Break Ali Daei’s Record?
Ali Daei’s 14-goal record is difficult to break because it requires both exceptional scoring ability and longevity.
Almoez Ali currently has 11 goals and is the closest player to Daei.
He would need four goals to surpass Daei’s 14-goal mark.
Akram Afif has nine goals and would need six more to move beyond Daei.
Other active players, including Sardar Azmoun and Son Heung-min, are further behind.
The 2027 Asian Cup could therefore be important in determining whether Daei’s record remains unchallenged or whether a new generation begins to close the gap.
AFC Asian Cup Top Goal Scorers: Quick Summary
All-Time Record
Ali Daei – 14 goals
Second Place
Almoez Ali – 11 goals
Third Place
Lee Dong-gook – 10 goals
Most Goals in One Tournament
Almoez Ali – 9 goals in 2019
Most Goals in 2023
Akram Afif – 8 goals
Most Successful Scoring Nation Among the Leading Players
Iran has produced numerous players among the historical leading scorers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the all-time AFC Asian Cup Top Goal Scorers history?
Iranian legend Ali Daei is the all-time leading scorer with 14 goals.
How many Asian Cup goals has Almoez Ali scored?
Almoez Ali has scored 11 goals in AFC Asian Cup finals.
Who is the second-highest scorer in Asian Cup history?
Qatar’s Almoez Ali, with 11 goals, is second on the all-time list.
How many goals did Lee Dong-gook score?
Korea Republic’s Lee Dong-gook scored 10 goals in Asian Cup finals.
How many goals did Akram Afif score in the 2023 Asian Cup?
Akram Afif scored eight goals in the 2023 edition and won the tournament’s top-scorer award.
Who scored the most goals in one Asian Cup tournament?
Almoez Ali holds the record with nine goals for Qatar in the 2019 Asian Cup.
How many goals did Ali Daei score in the 1996 Asian Cup?
Ali Daei scored eight goals in the 1996 tournament.
Who is Japan’s highest-ranked all-time Asian Cup scorer?
Japan’s Naohiro Takahara is among the leading all-time scorers with nine goals.
Who is the UAE’s top scorer in Asian Cup history?
Ali Mabkhout has scored nine goals in Asian Cup finals.
Who is Iraq’s AFC Asian Cup Top Goal Scorers?
Younis Mahmoud has scored eight goals in the tournament.
How many goals has Son Heung-min scored in the Asian Cup?
Son Heung-min has scored seven Asian Cup goals according to the all-time records.
Will the 2027 Asian Cup change the all-time top scorers list?
It could. Active players will have an opportunity to increase their totals during the 2027 tournament, but the final rankings will only be known after the competition is completed.
Conclusion
The AFC Asian Cup Top Goal Scorers in History list represents decades of Asian football excellence.
At the top stands Ali Daei with 14 goals, a record that has survived multiple generations of elite Asian forwards. Qatar’s Almoez Ali has moved into second place with 11 goals, while Korea Republic legend Lee Dong-gook follows with 10.
Naohiro Takahara, Ali Mabkhout and Akram Afif are tied on nine goals, while Younis Mahmoud, Sardar Azmoun and Jasem Al-Huwaidi have eight each.
The history of the competition also includes extraordinary single-tournament performances. Almoez Ali’s nine goals in 2019 remain the record for one edition, while Ali Daei’s eight goals in 1996 and Akram Afif’s eight in 2023 are among the tournament’s greatest individual campaigns.
With the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 approaching, fans will be watching closely to see whether the next generation of Asian stars can move up this historic scoring chart.
For now, however, Ali Daei remains the undisputed king of AFC Asian Cup top goal scorers with 14 goals.
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