ISLAMABAD: Qatar will also host 2023 Asian Cup after withdrawal of China from the event due to Covid pandemic, Asian Football Confederation said on Monday.
In 2019, China won the bid to host the 2023 Asian Cup of football, but China pulled out in May because of its “zero-Covid” policy.
According to the AFC, 24 team football teams of men will participate in the tournament.
South Korea and Indonesia were the other two countries which wanted to host the event, but Qatar got the nod.
“The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee has today confirmed the Qatar Football Association (QFA) as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023,” the Malaysia-based AFC said in a statement.
The AFC , however, did not announce dates for the Asian Cup, but said its executive committee has shortlisted India and Saudi Arabia for the 2027 Asian Cup.
AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said Qatar is ready to put on the event despite the short lead time to prepare. It will also host the World Cup starting next month.
The AFC chief hailed Qatar’s “existing world-class infrastructure and unrivalled hosting capabilities”.
“Qatar’s capabilities and track record in hosting major international sporting events and their meticulous attention to detail are well admired throughout the globe,” he said.
“I must also commend the AFC for showcasing utmost professionalism in conducting a fair and transparent expedited bidding process and I thank all our commercial partners and sponsors for their patience during these unprecedented times.”
The Asian Cup is staged every four years. Qatar won the tournament’s last edition, in 2019, which was hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar hosted the 1988 and 2011 editions.
South Korea jointly held the men’s 2002 World Cup with Japan, but has not staged the Asian Cup since 1960. Indonesia held matches at the 2007 Asian Cup along with Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
