Asian Cup: Japan officials say there is ‘little chance’ of country hosting the 2023 tournament
- Deadline for submission of bids is in two days and Japan had previously been said to be interested
- But Japan Football Association technical director says while it was being considered it wasn’t likely
Japanese football chiefs said there was “little chance” they would bid to replace China as hosts of next year’s Asian Cup, two days before the deadline to declare interest.
South Korea has already submitted an official bid to the Asian Football Confederation to host the 24-team competition, scheduled for June and July 2023.
When asked if the Japan Football Association planned to bid, JFA technical director Yasuharu Sorimachi told reporters “we are considering it but there is little chance”.
China was expected to host the tournament but pulled out in May because of challenges related to its strict zero-Covid strategy.
The AFC invited new bids to host the quadrennial competition and set a deadline of June 30, which was then extended until July 15.
Japan, who have won the Asian Cup four times, last hosted the tournament in 1992. South Korea has not hosted the Asian Cup since 1960, the only time it has staged the event.
Covid restrictions have pushed China off the global sporting map.