Asian Cup field confirmed but hosting rights for next year’s tournament up for grabs

With Australia co-hosting next year’s Women’s World Cup, don’t expect a local bid to stage the 2023 Asian Cup.

Massimo Luongo celebrates scoring for the Socceroos in the 2015 Asian Cup final. Picture: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Football Australia has ruled out bidding for the vacated hosting rights to next year’s Asian Cup, due to the tournament’s dates being too close to the Women’s World Cup, being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The 24-nation field for the Cup was finalised this week, with the final 11 teams, including India and Palestine, sealing their qualification.

The Socceroos qualified for the tournament in June last year when they topped a group which was also part of the qualifying road to this year’s World Cup.

China was to host next year’s Asian Cup, which is scheduled to run from June 16 to July 17.

However, the Chinese Football Association last month gave up its hosting rights due to the ongoing ramifications of Covid-19 in China.

The Final Cast of 2️⃣4️⃣ is Set 🔒 #AsianCup2023, here we come! 😍 pic.twitter.com/WVbOuDwxiP

— #AFCU23 (@afcasiancup) June 14, 2022

The Asian Football Confederation is yet to announce a new tournament host.

Unless there is a change of tournament dates, it’s understood FA would not bid for Australia – who hosted the Asian Cup in 2015 – to again stage the event next year, as the 2023 Women’s World Cup starts on July 20.

Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Japan are understood to be among the contenders to replace China as 2023 Asian Cup hosts.

2023 Asian Cup qualifiers: Japan, Syria, Qatar, South Korea, Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, China, Iraq, Oman, Vietnam, Lebanon, Jordan, Indonesia, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Thailand, India, Hong Kong, Bahrain, Malaysia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan.

Originally published as Asian Cup field confirmed but hosting rights for next year’s tournament up for grabs