By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp
ANKARA (AA) – Qatar will host the AFC Asian Cup 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Monday.
Original hosts China backed out earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Korea and Indonesia were also in the race to host next year’s event, but Qatar was chosen to host the tournament for a third time, following the 1998 and 2011 editions.
Qatar is also hosting this year’s World Cup from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18.
“Qatar’s capabilities and track record in hosting major international sporting events and their meticulous attention to detail are well admired throughout the globe,” AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement.
While China was scheduled to host the event in June-July 2023, the AFC has not yet announced new dates as the tournament shifts to Qatar.