2023 AFC Asian Cup
Tournament details | |
---|---|
Host country | TBA |
Dates | TBC |
Teams | 24 (from 1 confederation) |
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be the 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Asia organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The tournament will involve 24 national teams after its expansion of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, including that of the host nation, assuming the current format of the finals is maintained.
Host selection
The following three countries have indicated interest in bidding:[1][2]
China – In February 2013, China suggested interest in hosting the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Nine cities, Beijing, Dalian, Nanjing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Qingdao, Changsha, Guangzhou and Wuhan, were suggested by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) as potential host cities for the tournament. However, in September 2013, the CFA withdrew its bid to focus on player development.[3] In late 2015, the CFA confirmed their intention to bid for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.[4] China has previously hosted the 2004 Asian Cup where they reached the final but lost 3–1 to neighbours Japan. It was reported that Beijing, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Xi'an, Wuhan, Chengdu, Qingdao, Shenyang, Changsha, Ningbo and Luoyang were suggested by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) as potential host cities for the tournament.[5] South Korea – South Korea has expressed their interest in hosting the next tournament. South Korea last hosted in tournament in 1960 which was the second consecutive and last time they have won the tournament.[6] Candidate host cities include Suwon, Goyang, Hwaseong, Cheonan, Jeonju, Gwangju, Busan and Jeju.[7]
- Withdrew
India – On 26 March 2018 The All India Football Federation expressed interest to bid for hosting the tournament as a pathway towards developing football in the country. India has previously hosted the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and bid for the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup before losing out to Poland. India is also bidding for the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.[8][9] India later withdrew its bid, and chose to focus on a bid for the 2020 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup[10] Indonesia – AFC accepted Indonesia as a candidate on 12 April 2016. Indonesia previously hosted in 2007, along with Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia. The AFC announced in July 2017 that Indonesia have withdrawn from bidding due to geographic and infrastructure considerations and the expanded format (24 teams), a minimum of 2-4 ASEAN countries combined would be in a position necessary to host matches.[11] Thailand – Thailand previously hosted in 1972, and also co-hosted in 2007 along with Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. On 21 July 2017, the Football Association of Thailand notified the AFC their decision to withdraw from bidding because due to geographic and infrastructure considerations and the expanded format (24 teams), a minimum of 2-4 ASEAN countries combined would be in a position necessary to host matches.[12]
On 31 October 2018, the AFC will select the host country during the confederation's Congress in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.[13]
Qualification
The AFC obliged Qatar, the 2022 FIFA World Cup host, to participate in the qualifying stage as the first two rounds also act as the Asian qualification for the World Cup.[14]
Timor-Leste was barred from participating in the qualification tournament after being found to have fielded a total of twelve ineligible players in 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification matches, among other competitions.[15] However, as FIFA have not barred them from the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Timor-Leste are still allowed to enter the competition, but they are ineligible to qualify for the Asian Cup.
References
- ↑ "India make a bid to host 2023 AFC Asian Cup". Footballtribe tottenham. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
- ↑ "INDIA TO TABLE BID TO HOST THE 2023 AFC ASIAN CUP". goal.com. goal.com. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
- ↑ "CFA withdraws 2019 Asian Cup bid". Global Times. 6 September 2013.
- ↑ "China to place bid for 2023 Asian Cup, continent's biggest football championship". dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
- ↑ "中国携12个城市申办2023年亚洲杯 韩国成最强敌". Sina.com. 10 July 2017.
- ↑ "South Korea enter race for 2023 Asian Cup". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
- ↑ "수원 등 2023년 AFC 아시안컵 국내 개최 후보 도시 8곳 선정". Yonhap News Agency. 21 November 2017.
- ↑ "India 'thinking' of hosting 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Women's World Cup". The Times of India. 27 March 2018.
- ↑ "AIFF keen on India hosting FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2020 after missing out on men's U-20 showpiece event". Firstpost. 17 May 2018.
- ↑ "India to bid for U-20 Women's World Cup - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
- ↑ "Indonesia withdraws from 2023 AFC Asian Cup bid". AFC. 6 July 2017.
- ↑ "Thailand withdraws from AFC Asian Cup bidding". AFC. 21 July 2017.
- ↑ "AFC Executive Committee emphasises integrity of tender process". AFC. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
- ↑ Palmer, Dan (31 July 2017). "Hosts Qatar to compete in qualifying for 2022 World Cup". insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 20 August 2017.
- ↑ "Federacao Futebol Timor-Leste expelled from AFC Asian Cup 2023". The-AFC.com. Retrieved 20 January 2017.
External links
- AFC Asian Cup, the-AFC.com