Which Premier League players are going to the Asian Cup?

Ahead of the AFC Asian Cup kicking off in Qatar on 12th January, we take a look at which Premier League players are set to represent their countries at the tournament.

The tournament takes place every four years, and although it will be held between 12th January and 10th February 2024, this edition is officially the 2023 Asian Cup.

The previous Asian Cup, held in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, was won by Qatar, who beat Japan 3-1 in the final in Abu Dhabi.

With more Asian players now playing in the Premier League, the latest tournament is set to have a greater effect on the domestic game than it has previously, with players whose national teams reach the later stages potentially being away from their clubs for a month.

All 24 Asian Cup participants have now been confirmed, with six groups made up of four teams:

Asian Cup Groups:

Group A

• Qatar
• China
• Tajikistan
• Lebanon

Group B

• Australia
• Uzbekistan
• Syria
• India

Group C

• Iran
• United Arab Emirates
• Hong Kong
• Palestine

Group D

• Japan
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Vietnam

Group E

• South Korea
• Malaysia
• Jordan
• Bahrain

Group F

• Saudi Arabia
• Thailand
• Kyrgyzstan
• Oman

We take a look at which Premier League clubs could be impacted most when the tournament starts:

Arsenal

Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan)

Tomiyasu played only two games for Arsenal in December due to a calf injury, but he returned to action as a half-time substitute in the 2-1 loss at Fulham on New Year's Eve.

The defender has scored one goal in the Premier League this season, in a 5-0 home win over Sheffield United, and was sent off in a 1-0 away win at Crystal Palace in August.

He has made 37 appearances for the Japanese national team, scoring one goal. With Japan being the 12/5 favourites for the tournament, he could be set for a prolonged absence.

Brighton

Kaoru Mitoma (Japan)

The Brighton midfielder has been named in Japan's Asian Cup squad despite picking up an ankle injury on 21st December that could keep him out for up to six weeks.

Head coach Hajime Moriyasu wants to take the risk that he will be able to contribute at some point in the tournament after Mitoma scored seven goals in his first 18 appearances for his national team. He has scored three goals in the Premier League this season.

Brentford

Saman Ghoddos (Iran)

The Iranian midfielder has been a regular for Brentford this season, scoring one goal in a 3-0 home win over Burnley. He made one substitute appearance for Iran in the 2022 World Cup finals.

Born in Malmo, he had made two international appearances for Sweden before switching allegiance to Iran and has now played 40 times for them, scoring twice.

Kim Ji-Soo (South Korea)

Brentford's second player at the Asian Cup won't be such a big loss as Kim Ji-Soo has featured only for their B team this season since moving from Seongnam FC in the summer.

The teenage centre-back should gain some valuable experience from his time with his national team, who are coached by Jurgen Klinsmann.

Liverpool

Wataru Endo (Japan)

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo has made seven starts and seven substitute appearances for the Reds in the Premier League this season after signing from Stuttgart, scoring their third goal in the wild 4-3 home win over Fulham at the start of December.

Endo has been featured regularly in the Liverpool line-up of late, so he will be missed by manager Jurgen Klopp. He has played 55 times for his nation, scoring twice.

Tottenham

Son Heung-Min (South Korea)

The 2021/22 Premier League Golden Boot winner needs little introduction and will captain his nation at the Asian Cup as he extends an international career that already consists of 116 appearances and 41 goals.

Son has been an increasingly important figure for Tottenham since Harry Kane's departure, with 12 goals and five assists in 20 games. He scored three goals in two appearances for South Korea in World Cup qualifiers during the November international break.

Wolves

Hwang Hee-Chan (South Korea)

Wolves will also be missing a talented South Korean star as Hwang Hee-Chan has established himself as a key performer at Molineux this season.

The forward has been a regular goalscorer in the top flight and is sixth in the Premier League goal table with 10 goals and six assists, including a double in the 4-1 win at Brentford on 27th December. He has scored 12 international goals in 59 appearances for South Korea.

Justin Hubner (Indonesia)

In contrast to Hwang, Wolves' plans should not be at all affected by defender Justin Hubner's selection for Indonesia.

Hubner has become an Indonesian citizen having been born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Indonesian father.

The 20-year-old's only appearances this season have been in the Football League Trophy with the Under-21 team, so the tournament should provide him with some valuable experience without harming Wolves' Premier League prospects.