Australia failed to sparkle&nbsp;but joined hosts and holders Qatar in the Asian Cup knockout rounds on Thursday, with Uzbekistan in pole position to join them.

Jackson Irvine scored the only goal in a stodgy 1-0 victory over Syria to put the Socceroos into the last 16 with a game to spare.

With one round of matches to go, Australia top Group B with a perfect six points, two ahead of Uzbekistan. Syria have one point and India no points and no goals.

Uzbekistan only need a point from their final game -- against Australia on Tuesday -- to guarantee they go through after easing to a 3-0 win over India.

Australia and Syria mustered only one shot on target each in their game, but Socceroos coach Graham Arnold dismissed the suggestion that his side had been lucky to win.

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"The most important thing for us is our mentality, our work rate and keeping a clean sheet," said Arnold, who took Australia to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup, before losing 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina.

"Clean sheets win tournaments," added Arnold, whose team beat India 2-0 in their opening game and are considered one of the contenders to win the Asian Cup.

Australia won the title in 2015 on home soil.

They had more of the ball against a stubborn Syria but struggled to break their opponents down.

Lower-ranked Syria might have taken the lead inside five minutes but Colombian-born striker Pablo Sabbag hit the post.

With Australia struggling to create chances, Arnold made a triple substitution in the 57th minute, including throwing on the attacking midfielders Riley McGree and Samuel Silvera.

Three minutes later they took the lead through Germany-based Irvine.

The midfielder swivelled in the box before poking the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh for his second goal of the competition.

Uzbekistan, who were held 0-0 by Syria in their first game, had no such trouble breaching India's leaky defence.

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The Uzbeks were 3-0 up at the break following a torrid first half for Igor Stimac's men.

The Central Asians were ahead within five minutes, through an Abbosbek Fayzullaev header, the 20-year-old CSKA Moscow winger nodding in Otabek Shukurov's looping header.

Chaotic Indian defending led to the second 14 minutes later, a sliding Sandesh Jhingan chipping the ball against his own bar for Igor Sergeev to score on the rebound.

Ranked 102nd in the world to Uzbekistan's 68, India had their moments but were mostly limited to speculative crosses in front of more than 38,000 people at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

Their hopes of a comeback were extinguished during first-half stoppage time, Sherzod Nasrullaev exploiting some statuesque defending to notch a third.

In the final match on Thursday, Palestine play the United Arab Emirates.

Australia failed to sparkle but joined hosts and holders Qatar in the Asian Cup knockout rounds on Thursday, with Uzbekistan in pole position to join them. Jackson Irvine scored the only goal in a stodgy 1-0 victory over Syria to put the Socceroos into the last 16 with a game to spare.

Australia failed to sparkle but joined hosts and holders Qatar in the Asian Cup knockout rounds on Thursday, with Uzbekistan in pole position to join them. Jackson Irvine scored the only goal in a stodgy 1-0 victory over Syria to put the Socceroos into the last 16 with a game to spare. With one round of matches to go, Australia top Group B with a perfect six points, two ahead of Uzbekistan. Syria have one point and India no points and no goals. Uzbekistan only need a point from their final game -- against Australia on Tuesday -- to guarantee they go through after easing to a 3-0 win over India. Australia and Syria mustered only one shot on target each in their game, but Socceroos coach Graham Arnold dismissed the suggestion that his side had been lucky to win. × "The most important thing for us is our mentality, our work rate and keeping a clean sheet," said Arnold, who took Australia to the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup, before losing 2-1 to eventual champions Argentina. "Clean sheets win tournaments," added Arnold, whose team beat India 2-0 in their opening game and are considered one of the contenders to win the Asian Cup. Australia won the title in 2015 on home soil. They had more of the ball against a stubborn Syria but struggled to break their opponents down. Lower-ranked Syria might have taken the lead inside five minutes but Colombian-born striker Pablo Sabbag hit the post. With Australia struggling to create chances, Arnold made a triple substitution in the 57th minute, including throwing on the attacking midfielders Riley McGree and Samuel Silvera. Three minutes later they took the lead through Germany-based Irvine. The midfielder swivelled in the box before poking the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Ahmad Madanieh for his second goal of the competition. Uzbekistan, who were held 0-0 by Syria in their first game, had no such trouble breaching India's leaky defence. ALSO READ | Neymar 2017 transfer to PSG: French police raid finance ministry over 'suspected' tax fraud The Uzbeks were 3-0 up at the break following a torrid first half for Igor Stimac's men. The Central Asians were ahead within five minutes, through an Abbosbek Fayzullaev header, the 20-year-old CSKA Moscow winger nodding in Otabek Shukurov's looping header. Chaotic Indian defending led to the second 14 minutes later, a sliding Sandesh Jhingan chipping the ball against his own bar for Igor Sergeev to score on the rebound. Ranked 102nd in the world to Uzbekistan's 68, India had their moments but were mostly limited to speculative crosses in front of more than 38,000 people at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium. Their hopes of a comeback were extinguished during first-half stoppage time, Sherzod Nasrullaev exploiting some statuesque defending to notch a third. In the final match on Thursday, Palestine play the United Arab Emirates.

Asian Cup 2024: Australia reach last 16 after Syria win, Uzbekistan outclass India

The AFC Asian Cup is all set to take the spotlight for the next few days as Asia’s biggest international football competition started on Friday (Jan 12) in Qatar. Originally planned to start in June 2023, the tournament was postponed to January 2024 after hosts Qatar were involved in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup while weather conditions were also taken into account. With 24 teams battling for glory at the continental showpiece, Australia (better known as Socceroos) remain in the spotlight for different reasons as they bid to win their second title.

<h2>Australia’s participation in Asian Cup</h2>

Considering geographical constraints, Australia is not part of Asia and is technically part of the Australian continent which consists of Oceanic nations. Until 2006 Australia was part of the Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC) and did not participate in the Asian Cup. However, considering the nature of football competition available and limited chances to reach the FIFA World Cup, Australia switched to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bhuvneshwar-makes-blockbuster-return-to-domestic-with-five-for-prasidh-krishna-injured-during-ranji-tie-679528">Bhuvneshwar makes blockbuster return to domestic with five-for, Prasidh Krishna injured during Ranji tie</a>

Australia's competition in OFC consisted of teams like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands and several other countries. The Socceroos’ best competition came in the form of arch-rivals on the global stage New Zealand. However, with no big competition, Football Australia (FA) decided to switch to AFC to provide a good platform for the players to develop their game.

Geographically, Australia is closest to Asia which prompted the move to AFC with the latter welcoming the proposal and passing it in 2006.

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<h2>FIFA World Cup qualification factor</h2>

Another major factor in Australia's switch to the AFC involves the FIFA World Cup qualification. Since becoming a full-time FIFA member in 1966, Australia only qualified twice for the World Cup in 1974 and 2006. OFC’s low-ranked teams also saw them get only 0.5 slots (according to the FIFA coefficient) in the FIFA World Cup, which results in a playoff spot and not a guaranteed spot in the mega event. Before 2006, the Socceroos would end up facing a big South American side in the playoff and fail to reach the FIFA World Cup.

AFC, guaranteed 4.5 slots (four guaranteed spots and one playoff spot) in the FIFA World Cup, presented a better opportunity for Australia to reach the showpiece tournament. Considering the talent and competition faced at the senior level, Australia's move to the AFC made more sense for Asian nations. An increase in competition has also resulted in better performance.

Since its move to the AFC in 2006, Australia has qualified for all the FIFA World Cups including 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers saw them beat Peru in the playoff match on a penalty shootout.

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<h2>Australia’s performance in the Asian Cup</h2>

Since their move to the AFC, Australia has been a force to reckon with having won the Asian Cup in 2015. They lost only one match in the tournament which was in the group stage of the tournament against South Korea. Interestingly, the Socceroos beat South Korea after extra time in the final to clinch their maiden title. In 2011, they had finished runners-up to Japan having lost in extra time against the Asian giants. In 2019 they were eliminated in the quarterfinal of the Asian Cup while in 2007, Australia’s maiden appearance, they exited on penalties in the last eight stage.

<h2>Has any other nation switched federation?</h2>

In 1991, the Israel national football team and its clubs were given UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) full membership despite having competed in Asia. Israel was the continental champion in 1964 when they won the Asian Cup having hosted the tournament. Interestingly, it was during this time they started losing their grip on the AFC. Having gone to war with Egypt, Syria and Jordan in 1967, the majority of Middle-East Islamic countries refused to play Israel.

Later in 1974, Kuwait initiated a motion against Israel during the 1974 Asian Games where North Korea also joined hands. This resulted in the AFC expelling Israel from its full-time membership before switching alliances. While the full UEFA membership arrived in 1991 for Israel, they had already started playing in European football since the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Most recently, the AFC also opened its arms for Russia, suspended by UEFA, to become a full-time member of the confederation. However, upon voting, that proposal was not passed by the Russian Football Federation and is still part of Europe under UEFA’s membership.

The AFC Asian Cup is all set to take the spotlight for the next few days as Asia’s biggest international football competition started on Friday (Jan 12) in Qatar.

The AFC Asian Cup is all set to take the spotlight for the next few days as Asia’s biggest international football competition started on Friday (Jan 12) in Qatar. Originally planned to start in June 2023, the tournament was postponed to January 2024 after hosts Qatar were involved in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup while weather conditions were also taken into account. With 24 teams battling for glory at the continental showpiece, Australia (better known as Socceroos) remain in the spotlight for different reasons as they bid to win their second title. Australia’s participation in Asian Cup Considering geographical constraints, Australia is not part of Asia and is technically part of the Australian continent which consists of Oceanic nations. Until 2006 Australia was part of the Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC) and did not participate in the Asian Cup. However, considering the nature of football competition available and limited chances to reach the FIFA World Cup, Australia switched to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in 2006. ALSO READ | Bhuvneshwar makes blockbuster return to domestic with five-for, Prasidh Krishna injured during Ranji tie Australia's competition in OFC consisted of teams like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands and several other countries. The Socceroos’ best competition came in the form of arch-rivals on the global stage New Zealand. However, with no big competition, Football Australia (FA) decided to switch to AFC to provide a good platform for the players to develop their game. Geographically, Australia is closest to Asia which prompted the move to AFC with the latter welcoming the proposal and passing it in 2006. FIFA World Cup qualification factor Another major factor in Australia's switch to the AFC involves the FIFA World Cup qualification. Since becoming a full-time FIFA member in 1966, Australia only qualified twice for the World Cup in 1974 and 2006. OFC’s low-ranked teams also saw them get only 0.5 slots (according to the FIFA coefficient) in the FIFA World Cup, which results in a playoff spot and not a guaranteed spot in the mega event. Before 2006, the Socceroos would end up facing a big South American side in the playoff and fail to reach the FIFA World Cup. AFC, guaranteed 4.5 slots (four guaranteed spots and one playoff spot) in the FIFA World Cup, presented a better opportunity for Australia to reach the showpiece tournament. Considering the talent and competition faced at the senior level, Australia's move to the AFC made more sense for Asian nations. An increase in competition has also resulted in better performance. Since its move to the AFC in 2006, Australia has qualified for all the FIFA World Cups including 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. The 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers saw them beat Peru in the playoff match on a penalty shootout. ALSO READ | AUS v WI: ‘I don’t really like waiting to bat’ – Steve Smith on replacing Warner as Test opener Australia’s performance in the Asian Cup Since their move to the AFC, Australia has been a force to reckon with having won the Asian Cup in 2015. They lost only one match in the tournament which was in the group stage of the tournament against South Korea. Interestingly, the Socceroos beat South Korea after extra time in the final to clinch their maiden title. In 2011, they had finished runners-up to Japan having lost in extra time against the Asian giants. In 2019 they were eliminated in the quarterfinal of the Asian Cup while in 2007, Australia’s maiden appearance, they exited on penalties in the last eight stage. Has any other nation switched federation? In 1991, the Israel national football team and its clubs were given UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) full membership despite having competed in Asia. Israel was the continental champion in 1964 when they won the Asian Cup having hosted the tournament. Interestingly, it was during this time they started losing their grip on the AFC. Having gone to war with Egypt, Syria and Jordan in 1967, the majority of Middle-East Islamic countries refused to play Israel. Later in 1974, Kuwait initiated a motion against Israel during the 1974 Asian Games where North Korea also joined hands. This resulted in the AFC expelling Israel from its full-time membership before switching alliances. While the full UEFA membership arrived in 1991 for Israel, they had already started playing in European football since the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Most recently, the AFC also opened its arms for Russia, suspended by UEFA, to become a full-time member of the confederation. However, upon voting, that proposal was not passed by the Russian Football Federation and is still part of Europe under UEFA’s membership.

EXPLAINED | Why Australia are playing in Asian Cup 2024 despite not being in Asia territorially

Indian football is on the cusp of a historic campaign right now. Major tournaments like the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in China awaiting the national team. For the latter, India is pitted against fancied favourites like Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the group stage.

Defensive mainstay and one the most notable names in the current setup, Pritam Kotal, who has 52 caps for the Blue Tigers and led the Mohun Bagan Super Giant to the Indian Super League (ISL) title last season, believes that the league has instilled significant fearlessness amongst Indian players. Kotal says that the exposure that youngsters have garnered by rubbing shoulders with their international counterparts has honed them to execute a spirited style of football for the national team.

“See now, the mindset of the players has changed a lot. The quality of the training has changed, and even the players now know what they are supposed to do according to who they are playing against. And for me, whenever we play in the ISL, whichever foreigner is there in front of us, we play without fear. This is a new development that whoever is in front of us, we will compete,” Kotal claims in a recent episode of ‘In the Stands’.&nbsp;

Further, the 29-year-old hails the impact of the various tacticians at the helm of different ISL outfits, mentioning that their philosophies reflect in the performances delivered by the Indian side lately.

“And there is also the influence of coaches. How the coaches give confidence to a player – build up, pass – whatever will happen, we will deal with it. But it’s important to play how we want to. So this is a change since 2015 when we started the Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time. The process started then, and now you will see the way we are playing. This is good for the national team, and good for the individual players as well,” Kotal adds.

After a successful stint with the Mariners, Kotal secured a high-profile transfer to the Kerala Blasters FC last month for the upcoming season. The defender rounded off his stay with the iconic Kolkata club on a high and is now eagerly looking forward to the fresh environment awaiting him in Kochi.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rohit-sharma-needs-to-be-more-aggressive-kapil-dev-advises-indian-captain-cites-bazballs-example-626012">Rohit Sharma needs to be more aggressive: Kapil Dev advises Indian captain, cites Bazball's example</a>

“Last season was difficult for us but despite that we became champions. This was the first time I won the trophy as a captain and doing that whilst wearing the Mohun Bagan shirt was a big achievement for me. But suddenly, there was a movement (in the transfer market). At that time, my only thought was – this is a new challenge for me. Because I had played in Kolkata for many years now. Let’s try new things, new challenges, and a new atmosphere! The club supported me a lot. So it was fine, a mutual decision. And I am feeling good being here. Let’s see what lies ahead of us,” Kotal signs off.

Kotal has been one of the standout stars since the commencement of the ISL. He was the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Emerging Player of the Year in 2015. He is a three-time ISL title winner, one-time I-League champion, two-time Hero Intercontinental Cup victor, and has been a part of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship-winning squad thrice. However, nothing matches the challenge that the national side will face in the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup and Kotal reiterates that the players will leave no stone unturned in giving it their all and more on the pitch.

“As players, we are confident that we will do something different this year. And we will try to do that both individually, and as a team as well as when we start the camps. We will have the King’s Cup, Merdeka Cup, and a few friendlies. So I just want to tell the fans to stick with us. Support the Indian team. Whoever we play, we will not be intimidated. We will go face to face and fight. Be it Australia, Uzbekistan, or Syria. This, I am telling you today,” Kotal explains.

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Indian football is on the cusp of a historic campaign right now. Major tournaments like the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in China awaiting the national team.

Indian football is on the cusp of a historic campaign right now. Major tournaments like the Asian Games and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 in China awaiting the national team. For the latter, India is pitted against fancied favourites like Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria in the group stage. Defensive mainstay and one the most notable names in the current setup, Pritam Kotal, who has 52 caps for the Blue Tigers and led the Mohun Bagan Super Giant to the Indian Super League (ISL) title last season, believes that the league has instilled significant fearlessness amongst Indian players. Kotal says that the exposure that youngsters have garnered by rubbing shoulders with their international counterparts has honed them to execute a spirited style of football for the national team. “See now, the mindset of the players has changed a lot. The quality of the training has changed, and even the players now know what they are supposed to do according to who they are playing against. And for me, whenever we play in the ISL, whichever foreigner is there in front of us, we play without fear. This is a new development that whoever is in front of us, we will compete,” Kotal claims in a recent episode of ‘In the Stands’. Further, the 29-year-old hails the impact of the various tacticians at the helm of different ISL outfits, mentioning that their philosophies reflect in the performances delivered by the Indian side lately. “And there is also the influence of coaches. How the coaches give confidence to a player – build up, pass – whatever will happen, we will deal with it. But it’s important to play how we want to. So this is a change since 2015 when we started the Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time. The process started then, and now you will see the way we are playing. This is good for the national team, and good for the individual players as well,” Kotal adds. After a successful stint with the Mariners, Kotal secured a high-profile transfer to the Kerala Blasters FC last month for the upcoming season. The defender rounded off his stay with the iconic Kolkata club on a high and is now eagerly looking forward to the fresh environment awaiting him in Kochi. ALSO READ | Rohit Sharma needs to be more aggressive: Kapil Dev advises Indian captain, cites Bazball's example “Last season was difficult for us but despite that we became champions. This was the first time I won the trophy as a captain and doing that whilst wearing the Mohun Bagan shirt was a big achievement for me. But suddenly, there was a movement (in the transfer market). At that time, my only thought was – this is a new challenge for me. Because I had played in Kolkata for many years now. Let’s try new things, new challenges, and a new atmosphere! The club supported me a lot. So it was fine, a mutual decision. And I am feeling good being here. Let’s see what lies ahead of us,” Kotal signs off. Kotal has been one of the standout stars since the commencement of the ISL. He was the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Emerging Player of the Year in 2015. He is a three-time ISL title winner, one-time I-League champion, two-time Hero Intercontinental Cup victor, and has been a part of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship-winning squad thrice. However, nothing matches the challenge that the national side will face in the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup and Kotal reiterates that the players will leave no stone unturned in giving it their all and more on the pitch. “As players, we are confident that we will do something different this year. And we will try to do that both individually, and as a team as well as when we start the camps. We will have the King’s Cup, Merdeka Cup, and a few friendlies. So I just want to tell the fans to stick with us. Support the Indian team. Whoever we play, we will not be intimidated. We will go face to face and fight. Be it Australia, Uzbekistan, or Syria. This, I am telling you today,” Kotal explains. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

ISL has made Indian players fearless which will help us in Asian Cup campaign - Pritam Kotal

China`s withdrawal from hosting the 2023 Asian Cup could see the showpiece shift west to the Gulf, where new infrastructure and voracious demand for major events has made the region a magnet for international tournaments.

Having planned to hold the Asian Cup across 10 cities in June-July next year, China dropped the 24-team tournament due to "exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic", the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said over the weekend.

The AFC said it would name a new host in due course but provided no detail and declined to provide immediate comment to Reuters. AFC member nations were in the dark on Monday about the next steps.

"This is quite an unusual situation and so there’s no specific process that we are aware of on how things could go," a spokesperson for the Korean Football Association (KFA) told Reuters.

"We just know that China has given up."

The AFC has little time to appraise candidates and may not have a diverse set to choose from. Governing body Football Australia declined to comment on whether it would put up its hand to replace China but referred to its busy calendar in 2023 as co-hosts of the Women`s World Cup with New Zealand, which starts on July 20.

All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das said India, which held the 2022 women`s Asian Cup this year, was focusing on its bid for the 2027 men`s tournament and had not expressed interest in stepping in for 2023.

South Korea, which originally lost out on its 2023 bid to China, had no comment on hosting but said it would require further consultation with home authorities.

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"Basically, to host an international game .... firstly there should be talks with the government and the local authorities, but we haven’t heard or held any discussions on that yet," the KFA spokesperson said.

Apart from India, reigning Asian Cup champions Qatar, Iran and Saudi Arabia have all expressed an interest or submitted bids for 2027.

Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup from Nov. 21 at a raft of purpose-built stadiums and may be best placed to slot in for the Asian Cup.

The 1988 and 2011 Asian Cup hosts, Qatar`s ambitions of becoming a global sporting hub have been backed by its ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and underpinned by its gas wealth.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/lautaro-martinez-scores-a-double-as-inter-milan-take-serie-a-title-race-to-final-day-with-victory-at-cagliari-479496">Lautaro Martinez scores a double as Inter Milan take Serie A title race to final day with victory at Cagliari</a>

It may come too soon for Saudi Arabia, which has made an aggressive entry into the international sport hosting market in recent years. The Saudi bid for 2027 included the building of three new stadiums and expansion of three existing venues.

The region`s searing summers would mean both Qatar and Saudi Arabia would need to ask the AFC to move the tournament to cooler months later in the year or in early-2024.

Should few clear alternatives emerge, the AFC would likely prove accommodating to such a request, sending the tournament back to the Gulf four years after the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates.

China`s withdrawal from hosting the 2023 Asian Cup could see the showpiece shift west to the Gulf, where new infrastructure and voracious demand for major events has made the region a magnet for international tournaments.

China`s withdrawal from hosting the 2023 Asian Cup could see the showpiece shift west to the Gulf, where new infrastructure and voracious demand for major events has made the region a magnet for international tournaments. Having planned to hold the Asian Cup across 10 cities in June-July next year, China dropped the 24-team tournament due to "exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic", the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said over the weekend. The AFC said it would name a new host in due course but provided no detail and declined to provide immediate comment to Reuters. AFC member nations were in the dark on Monday about the next steps. "This is quite an unusual situation and so there’s no specific process that we are aware of on how things could go," a spokesperson for the Korean Football Association (KFA) told Reuters. "We just know that China has given up." The AFC has little time to appraise candidates and may not have a diverse set to choose from. Governing body Football Australia declined to comment on whether it would put up its hand to replace China but referred to its busy calendar in 2023 as co-hosts of the Women`s World Cup with New Zealand, which starts on July 20. All India Football Federation general secretary Kushal Das said India, which held the 2022 women`s Asian Cup this year, was focusing on its bid for the 2027 men`s tournament and had not expressed interest in stepping in for 2023. South Korea, which originally lost out on its 2023 bid to China, had no comment on hosting but said it would require further consultation with home authorities. Also Read: Premier League: Manchester City lose crucial points with draw against West Ham "Basically, to host an international game .... firstly there should be talks with the government and the local authorities, but we haven’t heard or held any discussions on that yet," the KFA spokesperson said. Apart from India, reigning Asian Cup champions Qatar, Iran and Saudi Arabia have all expressed an interest or submitted bids for 2027. Qatar hosts the 2022 World Cup from Nov. 21 at a raft of purpose-built stadiums and may be best placed to slot in for the Asian Cup. The 1988 and 2011 Asian Cup hosts, Qatar`s ambitions of becoming a global sporting hub have been backed by its ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and underpinned by its gas wealth. Also Read: Lautaro Martinez scores a double as Inter Milan take Serie A title race to final day with victory at Cagliari It may come too soon for Saudi Arabia, which has made an aggressive entry into the international sport hosting market in recent years. The Saudi bid for 2027 included the building of three new stadiums and expansion of three existing venues. The region`s searing summers would mean both Qatar and Saudi Arabia would need to ask the AFC to move the tournament to cooler months later in the year or in early-2024. Should few clear alternatives emerge, the AFC would likely prove accommodating to such a request, sending the tournament back to the Gulf four years after the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates.

China withdrawal could see 2023 Asian Cup heading west

Beijing and Shanghai are among 10 Chinese cities that will host the Asian Cup finals in 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Saturday.

China's desire to showcase its ability as a future <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-uefa-announces-new-playoff-system-for-2022-world-cup-qualifiers-266326">World Cup</a> host got a boost when its football association (CFA) was awarded the rights to host the quadrennial tournament at an extraordinary AFC congress in Paris in June.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-china-russia-start-joint-naval-drills-270575">China</a>, which will host the tournament for the second time after 2004, had been one of four nations to initially bid to host the 24-team competition with South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand also submitting bids before pulling out.

Tianjin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Suzhou will be the other host cities for the 18th edition of the continent's premier competition that will be held in June and July 2023.

"The AFC Asian Cup is our flagship competition for national teams, and I am sure that the Chinese FA and the selected host cities will deliver a tournament which is in keeping with the event's world-class status," AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement.

"The AFC thanks the commitment shown by the CFA and these 10 great cities to be a part of this celebration of Asian football. I wish them all the very best of success in their desire to show the world that China PR can stage huge international football events."

The tournament will give China the opportunity to showcase its ability to host a major football event and comes several years after President Xi Jinping declared his desire to see the country eventually host the World Cup finals.

As a result, investment in the sport in China has skyrocketed in the six years since Xi - a well-known football fan - came to power, although the fortunes of the national team lag behind the leading nations in Asia.

China have only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, and have never won the Asian Cup, last reaching the final on home soil in 2004. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/all-you-need-to-know-about-asian-cup-2019-188242">2019 Asian Cup</a> by Iran in January.

Beijing and Shanghai are among 10 Chinese cities that will host the Asian Cup finals in 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Saturday. China's desire to showcase its ability as a future World Cup host got a boost when its football association (CFA) was awarded the rights to host the quadrennial tournament at an extraordinary AFC congress in Paris in June.

Beijing and Shanghai are among 10 Chinese cities that will host the Asian Cup finals in 2023, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Saturday. China's desire to showcase its ability as a future World Cup host got a boost when its football association (CFA) was awarded the rights to host the quadrennial tournament at an extraordinary AFC congress in Paris in June. China, which will host the tournament for the second time after 2004, had been one of four nations to initially bid to host the 24-team competition with South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand also submitting bids before pulling out. Tianjin, Chongqing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Suzhou will be the other host cities for the 18th edition of the continent's premier competition that will be held in June and July 2023. "The AFC Asian Cup is our flagship competition for national teams, and I am sure that the Chinese FA and the selected host cities will deliver a tournament which is in keeping with the event's world-class status," AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a statement. "The AFC thanks the commitment shown by the CFA and these 10 great cities to be a part of this celebration of Asian football. I wish them all the very best of success in their desire to show the world that China PR can stage huge international football events." The tournament will give China the opportunity to showcase its ability to host a major football event and comes several years after President Xi Jinping declared his desire to see the country eventually host the World Cup finals. As a result, investment in the sport in China has skyrocketed in the six years since Xi - a well-known football fan - came to power, although the fortunes of the national team lag behind the leading nations in Asia. China have only qualified for the World Cup once, in 2002, and have never won the Asian Cup, last reaching the final on home soil in 2004. They were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Asian Cup by Iran in January.

Beijing, Shanghai among 10 cities to host 2023 Asian Cup

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