April 6 – The Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will be played January 12 to February 10, 2024 in eight stadiums across the country.
The AFC and the Local Organising Committee confirmed the dates for the 18th edition of the Asian Cup and the second to be held with 24 teams, saying that the competition “will be held across 30 days, two more than the 28-day 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates as part of efforts to enhance the experience for Asia’s passionate fans as well as the stature and commercial value of the competition.”
Six of the eight stadiums were used at the Qatar 2022 World Cup – Al Janoub Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Education City Stadium, Khalifa International Stadium. The 15,000-capacity Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and 12,000-capacity Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, neither of which were World Cup 2022 match stadiums, will also be used for the Asian Cup.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “We know that the Local Organising Committee and the Qatar Football Association will stage a true spectacle never before experienced in Asian football history.
“Already, we have witnessed the QFA and the Qatari Authorities organise the best-ever FIFA World Cup in the history of the modern game, and we have every faith that they will showcase their unrivalled hosting capabilities, state-of-the-art infrastructure and warm hospitality well admired throughout the world for the benefit of our teams, players and passionate fans.”
Qatar stepped in at the last minute to host the 2023 Asian Cup after China pulled out citing the pandemic as the reason for their withdrawal. Qatar had been bidding to host the 2027 Asian Cup but withdrew their bid in favour of neighbours Saudi Arabia who have been awarded the 2027 hosting rights.
Originally scheduled for Summer 2023, the dates have been switched to early 2024 to keep away from the heat of the Qatari summer in June/July and allow more time to organise the event that was awarded at short notice.
The official draw ceremony will be held at the Katara Opera House in Doha on May 11, with the official match schedule expected to be released shortly after the draw.
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