2023 AFC Asian Cup to be Hosted in Qatar
Qatar is gearing up to host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup for the third time, with the football extravaganza set to take place at nine stadiums in the 2022 World Cup host country.
The event will see 24 teams competing for the prestigious trophy, with the first match scheduled to take place at the Lusail Stadium on January 12. The tournament will utilize the seven stadiums used during the World Cup, as well as two additional football pitches.
Here is an introduction to the competition venues:
1. Lusail Stadium
Capacity: 88,000 seats
Completion time: September 2022
Place: Lusail City
The largest venue of the Asian Cup, Lusail Stadium, will host the opening ceremony and the first match between Lebanon and Qatar. It will also be the venue for the final on February 10. Located in a planned city of 200,000 people, Lusail Stadium witnessed Messi lifting Argentina’s victory in the World Cup final.
2. Ahmed Ben Ali Stadium
Capacity: 45,032 seats
Completion time: December 2020
Place: Lai Yang
Named after the former emir of Qatar, the stadium will host seven matches, including the quarter-finals and semi-finals. It was built on the site of an old stadium, with more than 90% of the materials being reused or recycled.
3. Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium
Capacity: 10,000 seats
Completion time: February 2013
Place: Doha
Located in the Duhail district of Doha, the stadium will host six group matches and one knockout round of 16.
4. Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Capacity: 13,030 seats
Completion time: 2010 (renovated)
Place: Lai Yang
The venue will host six group matches and one knockout round of 16. It is the home stadium of Al Sadd FC, Qatar’s most successful football club.
5. Khalifa International Stadium
Capacity: 45,857 seats
Completion time: May 2017
Place: Doha
The first venue in Qatar to be ready for the competition in 2022, Khalifa International Stadium will host six matches, including a round of 16 match.
6. Education City Stadium
Capacity: 44,667 seats
Completion time: June 2020
Place: Education City
This venue, inaugurated in 2020, will host the pre-quarter-final matches.
7. Southern Stadium
Capacity: 44,325 seats
Completion time: May 2019
Place: Wakla
The Southern Stadium, the first event venue built from scratch in 2022, will host matches including the quarter-finals. It was designed by the late architect Zaha Hadid.
8. Bayit Stadium
Capacity: 68,895 seats
Completion time: November 2021
Place: Hall
The Bayit Stadium will host four matches during the Asian Cup, including two group matches, a round of 16 match, and a quarter-final match.
9. Atumama Stadium
Capacity: 44,400 seats
Completion time: October 2021
Place: Doha
Atumama Stadium will host the match leading up to the semi-finals. It hosted 8 World Cup matches in 2022, including Morocco’s quarter-final victory over Portugal.
As Qatar prepares to welcome teams and fans from around the world, the excitement for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup continues to build. The tournament promises to be a thrilling display of football talent and international sportsmanship.