China apologizes for hosting the 2023 Asian Cup
China has apologized for not hosting the 2023 AFC Asian Cup due to the repercussions of
the COVID-19 pandemic, the continental federation announced on Saturday.
The Asian Football Confederation said on Saturday that China has renounced the rights to host
the 2023 AFC Asian Cup for the popular game due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation in its territory.
The AFC added that it took into account the exceptional circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,
which led to China waiving the hosting rights, adding that it “worked closely with the Chinese Football
Association and the Local Organizing Committee for the 2023 Asian Cup in China, during the period
In preparation, important steps took, including the launch of the tournament logo and
the unveiling last year of the completion of construction work on the new Shanghai Bandung Stadium.”
While the Confederation expressed its “appreciation to China”, it described the decision as “difficult but
necessary for the common interests of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, as the AFC will have enough time to assess
the situation regarding hosting the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.”
China chosen to host on June 5, 2019 during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly in Paris,
and the tournament scheduled to be held in 10 Chinese cities from June 16 to July 16, 2023.
The Asian Cup held every four years.
The teams of China (being the former host), Japan, Syria, Qatar, South Korea, Australia, Iran, UAE,
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Vietnam and Lebanon, have qualified for the tournament, in which 24 teams
participate, while the third round qualifiers scheduled to complete between June 8 and 14,
according to the pool system.
Japan holds the record for the number of titles (4) against Saudi Arabia and Iran (3), while Qatar won
the first title in its history in 2019 in the UAE.
China apologizes for hosting the 2023 Asian Cup
