Japan Opens Door To Host 2023 Asian Cup Instead Of China

Illustration of the 2023 Asian Cup. (Photo via Antara/AFC official website)

JAKARTA – Japan is willing to host the 2023 Asian Cup to replace China. They have been approached informally to discuss the possibility.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Saturday, May 14, that China was withdrawing from hosting the 24-nation continental championship. The reason is the COVID-19 situation in the country.

"We are being approached. If Japan can host it, no doubt it will be very interesting," Japanese Football Association (JFA) chairman Kozo Tashima told Nikkan Sports, quoted by Reuters.

However, the JFA could not be reached for comment. However, what is certain is that Japan has a stadium infrastructure that is ready to hold the tournament in June and July next year.

The Land of the Rising Sun previously co-hosted South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, a global rugby tournament in 2019, and of course last year's Olympics.

Apart from Japan, there are many other countries with great potential to host such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. However, these three countries may need the tournament to be pushed back to late 2023 or early 2024.

That's because Qatar will host the World Cup later this year. Meanwhile, the weather in Saudi Arabia is confirmed to be unfriendly for players in the middle of the year, while Australia will host the women's World Cup in July and August 2023.

Japan has previously won the Asian Cup four times. They also hosted a tournament in 1992 when only eight teams took part.

The AF, which has not yet responded to a request for information on the process for replacing the host country, will meet for the 32nd Congress in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday evening.