The AFC Asian Cup is the second-oldest continental football championship in the world after the Copa América, and it was first held in 1956.
The tournament takes place every four years, the most recent one took place in 2019. It features national teams from across Asia, with the number of participating teams varying in different editions.
Who will host AFC Asian Cup 2023?
The event was supposed to take place in China. But, due to COVID-19 and the country's rigorous control of the epidemic up to 2022, they gave up their rights.
After facing stiff competition from Indonesia and South Korea, Qatar was selected as the next hosts in October 2022.
Venues hosting AFC Asian Cup 2023
- Lusail Stadium
- Al Bayt Stadium
- Khalifa International Stadium
- Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
- Education City Stadium
- Al Thumama Stadium
- Qatar University Stadium
- Al Janoub Stadium
Lusail Stadium that hosted World Cup 2022 final - Image Source: Qatar2022™
When will AFC Asian Cup 2023 start?
The AFC Asian Cup was originally planned to take place from June 16 to July 16 in 2023. However, due to Qatar's weather conditions, the organizers decided to reschedule the tournament.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup, originally scheduled for the spring and summer months in the Middle Eastern country of Qatar, was moved to the cooler months of November and December. The same is expected for the AFC Asian Cup, with the competition now planned to take place in the winter of 2024.
AFC Asian Cup 2023 dates
Start date: January 12, 2024
End date: February 10, 2024
Which teams participate in AFC Asian Cup 2023
The most recent tournament, held in 2019, featured 24 teams, which is the largest number of teams in the tournament's history.
The upcoming Asian Cup will also involve 24 teams - Qatar are the defending champions.
The tournament consists of a group stage followed by knockout rounds, culminating in the final match to determine the champion. The host country for each edition of the tournament is selected through a bidding process.
Qualified teams for AFC Asian Cup 2023
- Qatar
- Japan
- Syria
- South Korea
- Australia
- Iran
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- China
- Iraq
- Oman
- Vietnam
- Lebanon
- Palestine
- Uzbekistan
- Thailand
- India
- Hong Kong
- Tajikistan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Bahrain
- Malaysia
- Jordan
- Indonesia
AFC Asian Cup pots confirmed
Pot 1
- Qatar
- Japan
- Iran
- Korea Republic
- Australia
- Saudi Arabia
Pot 2
- Iraq
- UAE
- Oman
- Uzbekistan
- China PR
- Jordan
Pot 3
- Bahrain
- Syria
- Palestine
- Vietnam
- Kyrgyz Rep.
- Lebanon
Pot 4
- India
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
When will AFC Asian Cup draw take place?
The draw for the AFC Asian Cup 20233 will be in Katara Opera House in Doha on 11 May 2023.
AFC Asian Cup 2019 Winners Qatar - Image Source: Getty Images
AFC Asian Cup all-time winners
Japan are the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won it four times. Other past winners include Iran, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Australia.
- 1956 - South Korea
- 1960 - South Korea
- 1964 - Israel
- 1968 - Iran
- 1972 - Iran
- 1976 - Iran
- 1980 - Kuwait
- 1984 - Saudi Arabia
- 1988 - Saudi Arabia
- 1992 - Japan
- 1996 - Saudi Arabia
- 2000 - Japan
- 2004 - Japan
- 2007 - Iraq
- 2011 - Japan
- 2015 - Australia
- 2019 - Qatar