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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that Qatar will host the 2023 Asian Cup.
Asian international soccer’s showpiece event is set to take place from 16th June to 16th July next year, although the AFC could move the tournament to a new date due to concerns over potentially extreme heat levels.
The AFC will need Fifa’s approval to ensure the competition can be moved to a later time, which could cause a clash with the 2023/24 European club soccer season.
The 24-team event was originally set to be hosted by China, which had to then step aside due to the country’s strict policies towards the Covid-19 pandemic.
Qatar, who won the previous edition of the tournament in 2019, will now host the competition for a record third time, having beaten bids by South Korea and Indonesia to replace China as hosts.
“Qatar’s capabilities and track record in hosting major international sporting events and their meticulous attention to detail are well admired throughout the globe”, said AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
“Given the short lead time in preparation, we know that the hard work begins immediately but 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.”
