Four countries have expressed interest in hosting next year’s Asian Cup

Next year’s AFC Asian Cup will be held in either South Korea, Australia, Indonesia or Qatar, that much seems certain after those four countries have submitted expressions of interest to host the tournament, according to the Asian Football Confederation.

Japan had also expressed early interest in hosting the tournament, but expressed concerns about the quick turnaround. China was originally scheduled to host the 2023 tournament, but a surge in COVID-19 cases forced them to step down as host country.

All four of the candidates have previously hosted the Asian Cup before.

Qatar might have a slight edge as they are hosting the FIFA World Cup later this year, but with the Asian Cup traditionally held in June and July, the tournament would have to be moved to the cooler winter months which means the 2023 edition would likely be held in 2024.

FILE PHOTO: Australia's captain Mile Jedinak (C) holds up the Asian Cup trophy as the team celebrate after winning their Asian Cup final soccer match against South Korea at the Stadium Australia in Sydney January 31, 2015. REUTERS/Steve Christo (AUSTRALIA - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)/File Photo

Australia, which held a successful Asian Cup in 2015 also has some scheduling concerns as they are hosting the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in July and August. They have requested a January/February 2024 slot for the 2023 Asian Cup.

“It’s purely down to the calendar,” Football Australia boss James Johnson told Reuters. “July and August next year, the stadium availability and the focus of the organization delivering competition is on the Women’s World Cup, so that is the priority. It wouldn’t be logistically possible for Australia to host the Asian Cup around that period.”

Australia has also expressed interest in hosting the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, and is eager to build on the momentum of hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We have a much longer runway without the calendar issues we do on the men’s side.”

Indonesia is hosting the FIFA U-20 World Cup in May and June of 2023, after the 2021 tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.

South Korea won the first Asian Cup in 1956 and repeated as champions four years later when they also hosted the tournament. The country co-hosted with Japan the FIFA 2002 World Cup.

The deadline for the four countries to submit their bid is August 31.