Bahrain to host 2023 AFC Asian Cup
China withdraws from AFC Asian Cup 2023
Bahrain to step in as hosts
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced that Bahrain will host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup after China withdrew as hosts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
China was originally scheduled to host the tournament from June 16 to July 16, 2023, but withdrew in May 2022 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Bahrain was selected as the replacement host following a bidding process that also included India, Indonesia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be the 18th edition of the tournament and will be held from June 16 to July 16, 2023.
The tournament will feature 24 teams, including the host nation Bahrain, and will be played across 10 stadiums in six cities.
The winner of the tournament will qualify for the 2025 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Additional information
- The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be the first time that Bahrain has hosted the tournament.
- Bahrain is a small country located in the Persian Gulf, with a population of around 1.5 million people.
- Bahrain has a strong football tradition, and the national team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice.
- The 2023 AFC Asian Cup will be a major sporting event for Bahrain, and it is expected to attract a large number of fans from across the continent.
