Japan will head to the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ as the top ranked Asian side.
The four-time AFC Asian Cup winners maintained their 17th spot in the latest FIFA World Ranking issued last Thursday.

Facing them in Group D at Qatar 2023 will be Iraq (ranked 63), Vietnam (94) and Indonesia (146).
Hosts and defending AFC Asian Cup champions Qatar maintained their ranking at 58 with China PR (79), debutants Tajikistan (106) and Lebanon (107) their Group A opponents. 

Australia, ranked 25th, are the top side in Group B with Uzbekistan (68), Syria (91) and India (102) standing in their way at Qatar 2023.

Islamic Republic of Iran, chasing their first AFC Asian Cup title since the last of their three triumphs in 1976, are Asia’s second highest ranked side at 21 with United Arab Emirates (64), Palestine (99) and Hong Kong, China (150) the ranking of their Group C challengers.
Korea Republic, at 23, are the top-ranked side in Group E with Bahrain (86), Jordan (87) and Malaysia (130) their initial challengers for a third AFC Asian Cup title.

Saudi Arabia, seeking a record-equalling fourth continental title, are the top-ranked side in Group F at 56 with Oman (74), Kyrgyz Republic (98) and Thailand (113) aiming to thwart their progress at Qatar 2023.

The next FIFA World Ranking will be issued on February 15, 2024.