Qatar named as host for AFC Asian Cup 2023

The Executive Committee of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has today confirmed that Qatar will be the host nation of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

With China having stepped back from its hosting earlier this year, the bid from the Qatar Football Association (QFA) to host the tournament was chosen ahead of competing proposals from South Korea and Indonesia.

The tournament, which will now most likely be shifted to early 2024, will make use of stadia and infrastructure built for the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Announcing the hosting during the 11th AFC Executive Committee meeting, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated the QFA on their successful bid and also conveyed the appreciation of the Asian football family to the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) and the Korea Football Association (KFA) for their commendable proposals.

Sheikh Salman advised “Qatar’s capabilities and track record in hosting major international sporting events and their meticulous attention to detail are well admired throughout the globe.

“I must also commend the AFC for showcasing utmost professionalism in conducting a fair and transparent expedited bidding process and I thank all our commercial partners and sponsors for their patience during these unprecedented times.

“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.”

Qatar are the reigning AFC Asian Cup™ champions and will be hosting the continent’s most prestigious men’s tournament for the third time after staging the 1988 and 2011 editions.

The AFC Executive Committee also deliberated upon the bidding proposals for the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ and shortlisted the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) as the final two bidders with the hosting decision to be taken by the AFC Congress at its next meeting in February 2023.

The decision brings to a close the bid proposal of the QFA who were considered to have withdrawn from the 2027 race following their successful 2023 bid in accordance with the applicable bidding regulations.

While the AFC did not say when the tournament would now take place, Secretary-General Windsor John told AFP it will likely be in January 2024 because of the cooler weather in Qatar at that time of year.