AFC Asian Cup Logos (1996 → 2027)

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) unveiled the emblem that will identify the 19th edition, to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027. For this reason, we are taking a look back at the designs featured throughout much of its history.

Asia’s premier national team tournament had its first emblem in 1996 (United Arab Emirates), featuring a rather simple style where the number 96 stood out. The same occurred in 2000 (Lebanon), where the name of the tournament took center stage.

For 2004, Chinese dragons inspired the design, which introduced a new typography that was repeated in 2007, highlighting panels at the top that mimicked a football, incorporating colors and elements representing the four host nations: Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.

In 2011, the ball once again became the focal point, combined with a graphic of an Oryx—an animal characteristic of Qatar—and a yellow and red effect representing the rising sun.

In 2015, the first edition outside the Asian continent was held, with Australia as the host (the federation joined the AFC in 2005). The hot Australian summers inspired the vibrant color palette, alongside the figure of a player, a ball, and the center circle of the pitch, which together with some lines formed the silhouette of the country.

The 2019 version debuted a new typography and formed a football using ribbons in the three colors of the United Arab Emirates flag, representing the unity of the 24 participating teams.

In 2023 in Qatar, the new AFC identity was seen, where the trophy took center stage with details inspired by local culture—a trend that will continue for 2027, when the tournament will be played in Saudi Arabia.