Qatar will stage the next Asian Cup instead of China, the Asian Confederation (AFC) announced on Monday. The tournament is likely to be moved from mid-2023 to early 2024 to avoid the summer heat. The continental championships were awarded to China in 2019 but relinquished the rights this year in pursuit of a zero-COVID policy. Qatar won the bid against South Korea and Indonesia on Monday.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa expressed in a statement that the confederation is confident in the country’s existing world-class infrastructure and hosting capabilities. The Qatar Football Association (QFA) spokesman, Ali Al Salat, has proposed the 24-team tournament be shifted from its original dates in June and July next year to run for a month from 24, January 2024.
The country has built seven stadiums and upgraded another around the capital Doha to host the 32-team World Cup finals in November and December. The QFA is proposing all eight be used for the Asian Cup, Al Salat said. Qatar was also one of three nations, alongside India and Saudi Arabia, bidding to stage the 2027 edition of the Asian Cup. The AFC executive committee on Monday said the final decision will be announced in February.
