Kuala Lumpur, May 31 (BNA): The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) called on bids to host the 2023 Asian Cup, after China decided to cede its right to the tournament.
China was due to host the tournament in June and July next year, but the country’s efforts to pursue a COVID-free policy led to the 24-team event being moved, Reuters reports.
“The Asian Football Confederation today issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) invitation to all AFC member associations to host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup,” the AFC said in a statement.
“The deadline for interested intermediates to submit an EoI… is June 30, 2022.”
The selection process has been accelerated and the hosts will not be selected by the AFC Congress.
Instead, the Confederation’s management will determine the terms and requirements of the bidding process to find an alternative host and submit a report to allow the AFC Executive Committee to make a final decision.
The Japan Football Association said it had been informally contacted about the possibility of replacing China as host.
A KFA official said they were briefed after China relinquished the hosting rights, but there was not enough time to deliver a world-class tournament in the country.