Qatar to host next AFC Asian Cup but want to move it to early 2024, India and Saudi Arabia shortlisted for 2027 tournament
- AFC president highlights ‘existing world-class infrastructure and unrivalled hosting capabilities’ of desert nation
- Qatar will host the tournament for the third time after previously doing so in 1988 and 2011
Qatar will host the next AFC Asian Cup after beating out Indonesia and South Korea for the right to stage the tournament, it was announced on Monday, and organisers want to move it from mid-2023 to early 2024 to avoid the oppressive heat of a Gulf summer.
The reigning Asian Cup champions, it will be the third time Qatar has hosted the event, after previously doing so in 1988 and 2011.
China originally won the rights to hold the tournament, but then pulled out earlier this year over its zero-Covid policy. Hong Kong have qualified for the event for the first time in 54 years.
“On behalf of the AFC and the Asian football family, I want to congratulate the Qatar Football Association on being awarded the hosting rights of the upcoming edition of the AFC Asian Cup,” Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, president of the Asian Football Confederation, said.
“We must also thank the Football Association of Indonesia and the Korea Football Association for outlining their intentions to stage the tournament.”
With Qatar hosting the Fifa World Cup next month, Shaikh Salman highlighted the desert nation’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.