A look at player height in 2019 AFC Asian Cup

World
Europe

All 24 teams attending the 2019 AFC Asian Cup in UAE from January 5, 2019, have submitted their 23-person lists with more detailed player information compared to what's been given in past events.

Besides birth dates, clubs they belong to and field positions on the field, the lists had other information including height, weight, number of games played for their country and how many goals they scored (the latter were provided by some countries).

The Vietnamese men's national soccer team at the 2018 Asian Games. /VCG Photo

Vietnam has the shortest average height of 1.75 meters. Of all 23 players, No.23 goalkeeper Dang Van Lam is the tallest (1.86 meters) but his mother is Russian and Dang started his soccer career in Russia. Six of the team's players are under 1.70 meters.

Thailand ranks 12, right in the middle of all 24 teams, in average height. They also have the shortest player in the event: No.18 midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin who's 1.58 meters. The 25-year-old is also the only player under 1.60 meters at the 2019 Asian Cup. Currently he plays for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo of J1 League.

The Iranian men's national soccer team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. /VCG Photo

With an average height of 1.84 meters, Iran has the tallest players in the event. The shortest of their 23 is 1.78 meters and he has four teammates who are over 1.90 meters. With a difference of nine centimeters in average height, Iran and Thailand, if they meet in the knockout stage, could make an interesting scene watch.

However, the tallest player of the event does not come from Iran but belongs to Palestine, whose No.1 goalkeeper Tawfiq Abduhammad is 1.98 meters tall. China ranks No.3 in average height with 1.82 meters.

(Data comes from Tencent Sports)