One 12 months on from a historic FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar is about to defend its crown because the Asian soccer champion when it hosts the continent’s greatest groups on the AFC Asian Cup 2023.
The 24-team event will get beneath method on January 12 on the iconic Lusail Stadium, the place Lionel Messi’s Argentina lifted their third World Cup crown in entrance of practically 89,000 followers.
Right here’s what you could know concerning the continental event:
Who’re the hosts?
China was chosen because the host for the event, which was initially scheduled to be performed in 10 cities in largely newly constructed stadiums in June and July of 2023. Nonetheless, the nation relinquished its hosting rights following the COVID-19 pandemic and attributable to its zero-COVID policy.
In October 2022, the Asian Soccer Confederation (AFC) introduced Qatar as the new host country, on the again of its preparedness to host the World Cup. The Center Japanese nation has beforehand staged the Asian Cup in 1988 and 2011.
What are the important thing dates?
The event kicks off on Friday, January 11 at 7pm (16:00 GMT) on the Lusail Stadium, the place hosts Qatar will tackle regional rivals Lebanon within the first match of group A.
The group stage will run till Thursday, January 25, with Kyrgyzstan vs Oman and Saudi Arabia vs Thailand because the final fixtures.
The spherical of 16 will begin after a two-day hole on Sunday, January 28 and run till January 31. The quarterfinals can be performed on February 1 and a pair of, the semifinals on February 6 and seven and, identical to the World Cup, the event will conclude with the ultimate in Lusail – on Saturday, February 11 at 6pm (15:00 GMT).
Which groups have certified for the Asian Cup?
Having gone via a yearlong qualification part, 23 groups made the minimize, whereas China was barred from the method on the premise of its authentic internet hosting rights. 4 of the 24 groups from the final version didn’t qualify for the 2023 event.
Tajikistan have been the shock bundle of the qualification part and have earned a spot within the ultimate 24 as the one debutants. In the meantime, Hong Kong make a return after an absence of over 5 many years and the more and more assured South Asian big India will make its second consecutive look.
Group A: Qatar, China, Tajikistan, Lebanon
Group B: Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, India
Group C: Iran, UAE, Palestine, Hong Kong
Group D: Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, Vietnam
Group E: South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahrain
Group F: Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Oman
The teams for the @afcasiancup Qatar 2023 are all set!
Keep tuned for information about when tickets will go stay.#AsiaCup2023 pic.twitter.com/Mmrx3znBl9— AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 (@Qatar2023en) May 11, 2023
How does the group stage work?
The highest two groups in every group and the 4 best-ranked third-placed groups will advance to the spherical of 16.
The underside groups and the 2 worst-ranked third-placed groups in every group can be eradicated from the event.
What are the venues?
Scorching on the heels of internet hosting the world’s greatest sporting occasion, Qatar may have one other likelihood to utilize its FIFA World Cup venues. One the 9 event venues, seven performed host to the World Cup, together with Lusail Stadium, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, Training Metropolis Stadium, Khalifa Worldwide Stadium and Al Thumama Stadium.
The ten,000-capacity Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, which hosts native soccer workforce Al Duhail FC, will host six group matches and a round-of-16 match. The Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium is the opposite non-World Cup venue slated to host Asian Cup matches. Residence of Qatar’s most profitable soccer membership, Al Sadd, the stadium has a capability of 15,000 and can host six group matches, in addition to a round-of-16 match.
Who’re the previous winners?
Japan: 1992, 2000, 2004, 2011
Saudi Arabia: 1984, 1988, 1986
Iran: 1968, 1972, 1976
South Korea: 1956, 1960
Kuwait: 1980
Australia: 2015
Israel: 1964
Iraq: 2007
Qatar: 2019
Who’re the favourites?
A powerful presence of groups from the Asia Pacific means Australia, Japan and South Korea can be amongst the highest contenders to carry the crown.
Nonetheless, the Center East boasts its personal favourites in regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia and defending champions Qatar.
