Coronavirus: China pulls out of hosting 2023 AFC Asian Cup over Covid-19 concerns, new venue to be confirmed soon
- Tournament involving 24 teams was expected to be held between June 16 and July 16 in 10 Chinese cities
- But officials say China told them they would not be able to host the competition
Next year’s AFC Asian Cup has become the latest tournament to fall foul of the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak in mainland China, with officials announcing on Saturday that it would be moved to a different country.
In a statement, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said their Chinese counterparts had told them they “would not be able to host the tournament”. A new host would be confirmed soon, it added.
China was awarded hosting rights in 2019 and the 24-team competition was scheduled to be held across 10 cities between June 16 and July 16 2023.
The loss of the event follows hard on the heels of the Chinese decision to postpone the University World Games, the Asian Games and the Youth Asian Games, all of which it was expected to host this year.
Local organisers said they could not “pledge at this moment to hold next year’s Asian Cup competition under a fully open model”.
“After negotiations between the AFC, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC), a joint decision has been made to remove the 2023 Asian Cup from China to a new host which is to be confirmed soon,” the Chinese Organising Committee said in a statement.
“The Organising Committee hereby expresses sincere gratitude to the AFC, all host cities and the whole society for their great support during the tournament’s preparations.”