The Asian Cup of Nations, sometimes abbreviated as CAN (to be distinguished from the African Cup of Nations which uses the same abbreviation), is a football competition between the best national teams from Asian countries . The winner becomes Asian Champion and commonly represents the representative of the Asian Confederation ( AFC ) at the Confederations Cup organized by FIFA .

The Asian Cup of Nations has been organized by the Asian Football Confederation since 1956. In 2004, the AFC decided to postpone the organization of the 14th edition of the event by one year to avoid the main meeting of Asian football is in media competition with the Summer Olympics and the European Football Championship , organized in 2008. Thus, the Asian Nations Cup, scheduled for 2008 in Indonesia , Malaysia , Thailand and Vietnam is therefore brought forward by one year in 2007, in a sporting year rather poor in world sporting events. The test nevertheless continues to be held every four years but during odd years.

Japan , Saudi Arabia , Iran and South Korea are the nations that have shone the most in the first fifteen editions of this event. The sixteenth edition took place in Australia from January 9 to 31, 2015 and saw the host country win in the final against South Korea (2-1 after extra time). Australia , already champion of Oceania, has participated in the Asian Cup of Nations since 2007 following its rally to the Asian Football Confederation on January 1, 2006.

The 17th edition of the Asian Cup of Nations took place in the United Arab Emirates from January 5 to February 1, 2019. It is the first edition which brings together 24 teams in its final phase and sees Qatar win in the final against Japan (3-1). Qatar - for which it is the first continental coronation - also wins with remarkable statistics (7 wins in 7 games, 19 goals scored against a single goal conceded).

Note that thirty-six teams have played at least once in the final phase of the competition.