Iraq won their first AFC Asian Cup title in a tournament co-hosted by four nations for the first time in major continental football history.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 14th AFC Asian Cup
- Tournament dates
- 7–29 July 2007
- Number of co-hosts
- 4 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam)
- Final score
- Iraq 1–0 Saudi Arabia
- Global TV audience
- 650 million viewers
- Iraq's title count
- 1st continental title
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The AFC restructured its tournament schedule to avoid clashing with the Summer Olympic Games and the UEFA European Championship, which had historically coincided with the Asian Cup every four years. Beginning in 2007, the AFC moved its continental championship to off-years, holding the tournament one year earlier than its previous cycle.
The 2007 AFC Asian Cup was held from 7 to 29 July 2007, co-hosted by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam — the first time four nations jointly hosted a major continental football competition. Iraq defeated three-time champion Saudi Arabia 1–0 in the final to claim their inaugural continental title, with an estimated television audience of 650 million worldwide.
Iraq's victory earned the nation a berth in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup as AFC representatives. The four-nation co-hosting format set a precedent later echoed by UEFA Euro 2020. Australia's participation marked its debut in the AFC tournament following its transfer from the OFC.