Indonesian Competitors Start First, South Korea Officially Offers To Host The 2023 Asian Cup

Illustration of South Korea running to host the 2023 Asian Cup. (PHOTO/INSTAGRAM @afcasiancup)

JAKARTA – South Korea has officially offered to host the Asian Cup in 2023. So far, only those who have openly volunteered.

Previously, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) extended the deadline for countries wishing to bid to host games until July 15.

"The South Korean Football Association (KFA) has formally submitted a letter of intent to host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup to the Asian Football Confederation," the agency said on Thursday, reported by Reuters.

South Korea has previously hosted this event. That came after they won the inaugural Asian Cup in 1956 and retained the trophy as hosts four years later.

So far, Korea has not held a major tournament since co-hosting Japan at the 2002 World Cup.

Besides Korea, Indonesia is also said to be interested in volunteering to be the host. The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) said on Tuesday this week that it would launch a bid.

Meanwhile, Australia is reportedly considering the possibility of volunteering. Then Japan claimed to have been approached informally to replace China as host.

The competition, which was participated by 24 national teams, was supposed to be held in China. However, the Bamboo Curtain Country relinquished their status as hosts due to the country's strict COVID-19 policies.