World Cup hosts The Asian Football Confederation announced on Monday that Qatar will host the 2023 Asian Cup after China withdrew earlier this year due to Covid. The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has been named the host association for the AFC Asian Cup 2023, according to a statement from the Malaysia-based Asian Football Confederation (AFC) executive council.
In June 2019, China won the bid to host the competition, but due to its "zero-Covid" policy, it withdrew in May of this year, leaving the AFC racing to find a replacement host for its premier men's 24-team football tournament.
The competition was scheduled to take place in 10 Chinese cities between June 16 and July 16 of the following year.
The final significant economy currently battling Covid-19 within its borders is China, which is doing so with several draconian tactics, including travel bans, mass testing, and instant lockdowns.
Every four years, the Asian Cup is held. The United Arab Emirates served as the tournament's host nation for its most recent iteration, which Qatar won.
After China withdrew, the other two nations that submitted bids to host were South Korea and Indonesia.
The World Cup will be held in Qatar beginning in one month.