Kuala Lumpur, Singapore: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal in some countries or territories in Asia and Oceania, has revealed that Qatar will host the 2023 Asian Cup in place of the tournament’s original hosts, China, after the nation withdrew due to COVID-19 earlier this year.
China won the bid to host the game in June 2019, but because to its “zero-COVID” policy, the country chose to withdrew in May.
As a result, the AFC was trying to find a new host for its premier men’s 24 team football competition. After China’s withdrawal, South Korea and Indonesia were the last two contenders, but Qatar was eventually chosen.
Qatar’s capabilities and track record in hosting major international sporting events and their meticulous attention to detail are well admired throughout the globe.
Mr. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President, AFC remarked about Qatar’s selection.
The AFC President elaborated that, “With their existing world-class infrastructure and unrivalled hosting capabilities, we are confident that Qatar will stage a worthy spectacle befitting the prestige and stature of Asia’s crown jewel.
The Asian Cup dates were not provided by the AFC. Additionally, the Confederation told that Saudi Arabia and India had made the executive committee’s shortlist for the 2027 Asian Cup.
The Asian Cup is staged every four years. Qatar won the tournament’s last edition, in 2019, which was took place in the United Arab Emirates. Qatar has previously hosted the tournament’s 1988 and 2011 editions.
To avoid having games during the hottest part of the summer, the 24 team Asian Cup is now likely to be moved from its original dates in June and July to later in 2023 or maybe early 2024.