The AFC contacts Japan to host the 2023 Asian Cup

Japan Football Association President Kozo Tashima revealed today that his country has been approached to host the 2023 Asian Cup after China withdrew due to the repercussions of the Corona virus.

The Japanese newspaper, Nikkei Sports, quoted Tashima as saying that the Asian Football Confederation had contacted the Japanese Football Association for the possibility of organizing the continental championship, and said in this regard, "We have been approached. If Japan is destined to host the tournament, it will be exciting without any doubt."

China apologized for not hosting the Asian Cup due to the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Confederation announced last Saturday, at a time when the country is battling the worst spread of the Corona virus since the outbreak began.

The tournament was scheduled to be held in 10 cities from June 16 to July 16, 2023, with the participation of 24 teams, after China was chosen to host on June 5, 2019 during the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly in Paris.

The Asian Cup is added to a series of events in China that faced cancellation or postponement, most notably the “Hangju 2022” Asian Games, which were scheduled in September, 200 km from Shanghai, which was affected by the pandemic.

The teams of China (being the former host), Japan, Syria, Qatar, South Korea, Australia, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Vietnam and Lebanon, have qualified for the tournament, while the third round qualifiers are scheduled to be completed between June 8 and 14 in the pool system.

Japan holds the record for the number of titles (4) against Saudi Arabia and Iran (3), while Qatar won the first title in its history in 2019 in the UAE.

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