Playing a major tournament or a final at home can bring added pressure, but it is often a blessing. Though home advantage is no guarantee of success, most teams would prefer to play an important fixture in familiar surroundings and in front of their own fans. In international tournaments, host nations are therefore often among the favourites, while clubs are seen to have an advantage if they are due to play a cup final in their own stadium.
When it works out, the atmosphere is special. Here, we look at some of the national teams and club sides in men's football that won major finals at home..
. 32. Qatar Qatar beat Japan 3-1 to win the 2019 Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi and four years later, the Maroons retained their title on home soil.
In the 2023 Asian Cup showpiece, the hosts beat Jordan 3-1 at the Lusail Stadium, which was the venue for the 2022 World Cup final. 31. Nigeria Nigeria have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times – in 1980, 1994 and 2013 – and the first of those victories came on home soil.
After topping their group following victories over Tanzania and Egypt, plus a draw against the Ivory Coast, the Super Eagles edged out Morocco in the last four and beat Algeria 3-0 in the final in Lagos. 30. Australia Australia left the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to join the Asian Football Confederation (ACF) in 2006 and the Socceroos went to their first Asian Cup in 2007.
After narrowly losing the final to Japan in 2011, Australia won the next edition of the Asia.
