Unfortunately for Asia, it was history for all the wrong reasons.
While Cape Verde, with a population of 500,000, and eight other African nations celebrated their progression to the round of 32, Asia was left reeling.
In the expanded 48-team tournament, eight Asian nations qualified via AFC qualifying, before Iraq reached the tournament via intercontinental play-offs to make it nine.
But only Australia and Japan made it through to the knockout phase in a drastically disappointing tournament for the region that arguably hurts its reputation.
The biggest disaster was South Korea, who have qualified for 11 straight World Cups and were semi-finalists as co-hosts in 2002.
South Korea were in pole position to finish second in Group A behind Mexico, following their win over the Czech Republic - and had the likes of Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in at their disposal.
Then, they inexplicably imploded against South Africa, losing 1-0 and missing out on progression as one of the worst third-placed teams.
President Lee Jae Myung called for a complete review of the national team program while coach Hong Myung-bo quit on Sunday.
"I would like to sincerely apologise to the citizens who have loved Korean football and always supported the national team," Hong said.
"I failed to deliver the results the public expected.
"The responsibility lies entirely with me."
Qatar and Saudi Arabia, who have both invested heavily in football, both flopped.
The 2022 World Cup hosts, Qatar have been unable to translate Asian Cup success to the global stage and snagged just one point under Julen Lopetegui.
Saudi Arabia - who will host next year's Asian Cup then the 2034 World Cup - exited with two points, with their call to punt Herve Renard for Georgios Donis in April failing to bear fruit.
Iran, set multiple obstacles due to tensions with hosts the United States, including travel limitations, bowed out in heartbreaking fashion.
Uncertainty over visas and Iran's conflict with the US meant the team had to commute from their tournament base in Mexico for their three group games over the border.
Iran had a late would-be winner against Egypt chalked off for offside and Austria's helter-skelter draw with Algeria ultimately eliminated them.
Captain Mehdi Taremi labelled the tournament a "disaster" while coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team had been "oppressed" and co-hosts the US had treated them "the worst possible way".
Graham Arnold's Iraq, in a brutally tough group with France, Norway and Senegal, failed to claim a point and shipped 11 goals across three games.
Fellow underdogs Jordan and Uzbekistan also finished last in their respective groups with zero points to show for it.
It means Asia's hopes rely on Australia, who play Egypt on Friday (Saturday AEST) and Japan, who face Brazil in Houston on Monday.
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