With the announcement of a change of venue for the 2023 Asian Cup tournament, who will be the new host of the soccer extravaganza has become a hot topic of discussion. South Korea, Japan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are among the candidates that have become the center of media attention.
The South Korean Football Association has already expressed its enthusiasm for hosting the Asian Cup, while Japan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates are strong rivals for South Korea. Japan has just taken over the East Asian Cup tournament, which China abandoned, while South Korea has enough sports facilities left over from the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan to meet the challenge of the Asian Cup. Qatar, the host of the 2022 World Cup, had planned to bid for the 2027 Asian Cup, but it could be brought forward to 2023. The UAE, which hosted the last Asian Cup, has also shown keen interest in the tournament.
Last weekend, the AFC sent out a letter of solicitation to member associations seeking a new host site, according to reporter Madsen. The letter made it clear that member associations wishing to take over the hosting of the tournament should ideally have already secured, or be about to secure, a ticket to the Asian Cup. In addition, the AFC set out seven specific conditions, including:
① Have at least five stadiums with a capacity of 20,000 spectators;
② The stadium hosting the Opening Ceremony and the Championship Final needs to be able to accommodate at least 40,000 spectators;
(iii) Each team is equipped with at least two training grounds to accommodate the training needs of four teams;
④ Provide five-star hotels that meet international standards;
⑤ Ensure free travel and free access to international flights;
(vi) Domestic flights are required as a guarantee if the distance between different cities exceeds 200 kilometers;
(vii) Ensure the safety of spectators and specific programs for security.
It is reported that after the AFC issued the call letter, member associations interested in hosting the event were asked to reply within a week to express their willingness to bid to the AFC Competition Department. (Editor: Liu Shuitu)
