China has given up on organizing the 2023 Asian Cup due to “exceptional circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic”. This was announced by the Asian Confederation (ACF). The 24-team competition was supposed to take place in 10 Chinese cities in June and July next year. But the ACF said it had been “officially informed by the Chinese Football Federation that it would not be able to host” the tournament.
The country, which is currently experiencing a resurgence of infections, has already canceled or postponed the organization of multiple competitions planned on its territory, in particular the Asian Games, scheduled for September in Hangzhou. The AFC has not nominated a new host country for the Asian Cup, merely announcing “further steps” in due course.