Qatar hosting the AFC Asian Cup

One year on from a historic FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is set to defend its crown as the Asian football champion when it hosts the continent’s best teams at the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The 24-team tournament gets under way on January 12 at the iconic Lusail Stadium, where Lionel Messi’s Argentina lifted their third World Cup crown in front of nearly 89,000 fans.China was chosen as the host for the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be played in 10 cities in mostly newly built stadiums in June and July of 2023. However, the country relinquished its hosting rights following the COVID-19 pandemic and due to its zero-COVID policy. In October 2022, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced Qatar as the new host country, on the back of its preparedness to host the World Cup. The Middle Eastern nation has previously staged the Asian Cup in 1988 and 2011.