Everything You Need to Know About the 2023 AFC Asian Cup
Football enthusiasts, rejoice! The 18th edition of the AFC Asian Cup, put together by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) started on the 12th of January and last until the 11th of February. Once more Qatar has proven itself to be a great host, housing 24 teams that are all planning to earn the prestigious title.
That being said, with the changes and multiple tournaments taking place nowadays, keeping yourself informed may seem rather difficult. If you are planning to fully enjoy the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, this article will keep you informed on different aspects of it. This way, you will get the full experience.
Why Is the 2023 Edition Taking Place in 2023?
It may be called the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, but it didn’t skip anyone’s notice that the tournament is taking place in 2024. There is a very good reason for that, and circumstances deemed it was appropriate to keep the “2023” in the tournament name.
Qatar was the one that was supposed to hold the competition in the summer of 2023, but they were unable to, as they had to participate in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup as well. The extreme summer temperatures also made it difficult for the teams to play during that season, which is why they were forced to reschedule.
This was not the only tournament to be rescheduled for this reason, as the 2022 men’s World Cup was pushed later for the same motive. These kinds of delays are the reason why websites may need our live football API so they can keep their visitors updated about tournaments and dates.
Which Teams Take Part in the Tournament?
The Asian Cup has a total of 24 teams playing in it, which are split into six groups. Four teams will be competing in each group, with the top two teams earning a place in the knockout stage. The groups are split in the following way:
Group A: Qatar, Tajikistan, China, Lebanon
Group B: Uzbekistan, Australia, India, Syria
Group C: UAE, Iran, Palestine, Hong Kong
Group D: Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, Iraq
Group E: Malaysia, Korean Republic, Bahrain, Jordan
Group F: Saudi Arabia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Oman
The final draw for the teams was taken on the 11th of May 2023, at the Opera House of Katara. The host team, Qatar, faced Lebanon on the 12th of January 2023, starting the AFC Asian Cup. After that, the fixtures may be set on who wins each round from their respective groups.
Which Venues Hold the Matches?
At the beginning of 2023, five cities in Qatar were chosen to host the AFC Asian Cup: Al Khor, Lusail, Al Rayyan, Doha, and Al Wakrah. Originally, only seven stadiums were chosen to host the matches. However, an eighth stadium was added to the list on the 5th of April, and the ninth was announced on the 21st of August. The latter would be the Lusail Stadium, which has the largest capacity and would serve as the host of the opening matches.
All of the stadiums from the 2022 FIFA World Cup were chosen to hold the matches, except Stadium 976. Abdullah bin Khalifa in Al Rayyan was selected because it hosted no tournaments before. Jassim bin Hamad from the same city was also picked after the success it brought when it hosted the 11th edition of the tournament.
The opening match took place on the 12th of January at the Lusail Stadium, which has a capacity of 88,996 people. Its size deemed the stadium appropriate to start the tournament. The second largest stadium is Al Bayt, which is in Al Khor city.
Doha and Al Rayyan will host the semifinal of the AFC National Cup, the matches taking place at the Al Talumama and the Ahmad Bin Ali stadiums respectively. The tournament will have its finale on the 10th of February, in the stadium where it all began (Lusail).
Other venues where matches will be held are the Education City and Khalifa International stadiums in Al Rayyan and the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrath. Considering how many games there will be, our live score API can keep your visitors informed about who’s winning and where.
How to Get Tickets for the AFC Asian Cup
Football enthusiasts may purchase tickets for the tournament from the official Asian Cup 2023 website, selecting the tournament that they want to go for. You can buy tickets for any of the matches that will take place between the 12th of January and the 10th of February, offering you 51 matches to choose from.
You can either buy a single ticket or opt for group tickets if you want to go with friends. Once you have received the confirmation for the ticket purchase, you can print it or present the QR code from your device. Do not purchase tickets from any other website than the official AFC Asian Cup website, as you can put yourself at risk for fraud or cancellation.
Can You Watch the AFC Asian Cup Online?
The AFC Asian Cup can be watched on the Internet, so if you decide not to travel to the location, there are several sports websites where you can watch the matches. eTickets may be provided for you to enjoy the full experience.
Bear in mind that some platforms where you watch the games may be geo-restricted. This means that you may only be able to watch the games if you are in locations serviced by said platform. A VPN may be used to watch the match events, but official sources should bring no issues.
The Bottom Line
The AFC Asian Cup is bringing a lot of excitement, and enthusiasts are counting the days they can watch the games. With so many great teams participating in the tournament, it is expected to draw many visitors who want to learn the scores. This offers you plenty of opportunities for website visits, should you decide to broadcast information about the game.