The opera house in Katara Cultural Village, Doha, hosted the draw ceremony for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 on Thursday. The tournament is set to take place from January 12 to February 10, 2024, competing for the most prestigious title among national teams in Asia. This edition is the 18th of the tournament and will be hosted by Qatar for the third time in its history, featuring 24 teams divided into six groups. Matches will take place in eight stadiums, six of which hosted games during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 last year.
In a statement following the draw, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, the head of the local organizing committee for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, said: "Our country is once again preparing to host some of the best football players in the world, showcasing the next edition of the Asian Cup, which reaffirms football's ability to bring people together and break down cultural barriers. We are excited to welcome fans from across our Asian continent to Qatar to enjoy our world-class facilities and learn more about various aspects of our culture and heritage." He anticipated "strong competition among the continent's best teams in stunning stadiums, ensuring fans from all over the world enjoy exceptional football from Asian stars," confirming that "we are fully prepared to organize the continental tournament, making Qatar the first country to host the Asian Cup for the third time."
The draw was attended by several Asian football stars, including Qatar's captain Hassan Al-Haydos, who aims to defend his title at home after winning the previous edition in 2019 for the first time in history.
**An Exceptional Experience in Qatar**
Jassim Al-Jassim, the CEO of the local organizing committee for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, remarked: "We witnessed the widespread popularity of football in Qatar and the region during the World Cup events. As the best Asian teams participate in the upcoming tournament early next year, we aim to provide an exceptional atmosphere and to highlight Qatar's hospitality and its established status as a prominent global destination for hosting major sporting events."
Hassan Al-Kuwari, director of marketing and communications for the organizing committee, welcomed football fans from across Asia, assuring that "we will do our utmost to provide an exceptional experience for the fans of the continent during the anticipated football festival, which offers a perfect opportunity to discover our culture and heritage. We will ensure that the finest football players in Asia compete in a wonderful atmosphere that enhances the bonds among Asian people and reflects the rich cultural diversity that characterizes the largest continent in the world."
**Where Will the Matches Be Held?**
The matches will take place in eight stadiums, six of which are World Cup venues: Al Bayt, Al Janoub, Al Thumama, Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, and Khalifa International Stadium. The stadiums and training facilities in Qatar are interconnected by a modern transport system that includes an advanced road network and the Doha Metro, which recorded over 17 million passengers during the World Cup. The stadiums have been constructed to the highest sustainability standards to ensure a suitable experience for everyone while minimizing the environmental impact of the tournament.
Prior to the draw ceremony for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, the official logo of the tournament was revealed, depicting a falcon, which carries historical symbolism in Qatar, alongside the Asian lotus flower.
**Tournament Groups**
The draw resulted in the following groups: Group A includes Qatar (host and defending champion), China, Tajikistan, and Lebanon. Group B consists of Australia, Uzbekistan, Syria, and India. Group C features Iran, the UAE, Hong Kong, and Palestine. Group D includes Japan, Indonesia, Iraq, and Vietnam. Group E comprises South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan, and Bahrain, while Group F contains Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, and Oman.
