Qatar to replace China as 2023 AFC Asian Cup host nation

Qatar will replace China as the host nation of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation announced on Monday.

In a statement, the AFC said Qatar was chosen ahead of the two other finalists Indonesia and South Korea for the right to hold the biennial championship of Asian football at a meeting of its Executive Committee on Monday.

With Qatar already set to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup next month, AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said "Qatar's capabilities and track record in hosting major international sporting events and their meticulous attention to detail are well admired throughout the globe."

China stepped down as the host earlier this year due to uncertainty over the Covid-19 pandemic, forcing the AFC to quickly find a new host.

The change in hosts also means Qatar, the reigning AFC Cup champions, will defend its title on home soil next year.

The AFC also announced India and Saudi Arabia as the final two bidders for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, with a final decision to make at the AFC Congress in February 2023.

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