Asian Cup not to be held in China in 2023 – Soccer

Peking

Because of its strict zero-corona policy, China is giving up the Asian football championships planned for next year.

According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), China has informed the association that it will not be able to host the tournament as planned. “The AFC recognizes the exceptional circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic,” it said. Details on next steps would be announced in due course. The competition with 24 national teams was supposed to take place from June 16 to July 16, 2023 in ten Chinese cities.

With the spread of Omicron, China is currently experiencing the largest corona wave since the pandemic began more than two years ago. There are curfews in Shanghai, the country’s economic and financial center, and other major cities. Against the background of the strict measures, China had already announced that the Asian Games would be postponed. The athletics competitions should have been held in September in the eastern Chinese metropolis of Hangzhou.

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