Thailand were placed in pot two of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 draw after the Fifa World Rankings were updated yesterday.
World No.122 Thailand benefitted from being one of the 12 teams that reached Asia's final qualifying stage for this year's World Cup in Russia as it ensured their place in the second pot despite being the third lowest ranked team in the event.
The 12 teams, who received an automatic bye into next year's finals, secured their places in either pot one or two.
Hosts United Arab Emirates, Iran, defending champions Australia and the tournament's most successful nation Japan as well as South Korea and Saudi Arabia will take the pole positions in groups after being put in pot one.
China, Syria, Uzbekistan, Iraq and Qatar have been placed in pot two alongside Thailand.
Meanwhile, the other 12 teams, who have qualified from the recently concluded final qualifying round, have been placed in pots three and four based on their Fifa ranking.
The draw for the continent's most prestigious competition will take place on May 4 in Dubai. The 24 nations will be drawn into six groups of four teams each, with the UAE assuming the No.1 seed in Group A.
The tournament will be held between Jan 5-Feb 1 next year.
