The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has announced that the Asian Cup will be held in Qatar in 2023.
Qatar, which is laying the groundwork to serve the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beat out South Korea and Indonesia for the honour.
“The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive committee has today confirmed the Qatar Football Association (QFA) as the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023,” the Malaysia-based body said in a statement.
China was chosen to stage the tournament in June 2019, but backed down in May due to its “zero-covid” policy, abandoning the AFC frantically searching for a new companion for its showpiece men’s 24-team sporting event.
The competition was scheduled to take place in ten Chinese cities from June 16 to July 16 of next year.
China is the last key market still fighting Covid-19 within its borders, employing draconian measures such as lockdowns, mass testing, and travel restrictions.