Qatar wins bid to host 2023 AFC Asian Cup

On Monday, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced Qatar will be the new host of the 2023 Asian Cup instead of China as originally planned. China had been given the bid previously, but due to their zero-COVID policy, they relinquished the rights allowing room for another nation to host.

When China gave up their opportunity to host, the bidding process was reopened by the AFC and, in addition to Qatar, South Korea and Indonesia threw their names in the hat. Perhaps it was the ability for Qatar to host the FIFA World Cup next month or the tragedy that unfolded in Indonesia a few weeks ago, but the AFC favored Qatar awarding them hosting responsibilities.

“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. “With their existing world-class infrastructure and unrivaled hosting capabilities, we are confident that Qatar will stage a worthy spectacle befitting the prestige and stature of Asia’s crown jewel.”

The Asian Cup was slated to take place in mid-2023, but due to the high heat during that season in Qatar, it will likely be moved back to early 2024 the same way the World Cup was moved back. The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has proposed the 24-team tournament be shifted from its original dates of June and July to January.

With Qatar’s resources, the nation built seven new stadiums in preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As part of its bid, the QFA proposed all seven stadiums be used for the 2023 Asian Cup, as well. The updated stadiums were a big selling point in hosting over South Korea as well as the deaths of the 130 individuals at an Indonesian stadium on October 1 due to a stampede that occurred at a soccer game.

The AFC said the executive meeting had opened with the offer of “heartfelt condolences” to the Indonesian FA “as well as the families and loved ones of the precious lives lost”.

South Korea was a heavy favorite to host the event, as well, considering they had not hosted since 1960, but the nation just could not compete with what Qatar had to offer. The Korean Football Association (KFA) apologized for losing the bid saying, “We thought that we had no problem in hosting the event, but we had to face fierce competition as Qatar jumped into the race with rich financial, human and material resources.”

With Qatar now hosting the 2023 rendition, their chances of repeating as champions may go up as they will now have their home crowd behind them every step of the way.