The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has been officially told by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) that it would not be able to host the AFC Asian Cup 2023 after extensive deliberations.

On June 5, 2019, the AFC Extraordinary Congress in Paris named China PR as the hosts of the AFC Asian Cup 2023. From June 16 to July 16, 2023, the 24-team competition was to be held in ten Chinese cities. But due to a new situation that has arisen due to COVID-19, China is relinquishing it's hosting rights.

AFC statement reads: "The AFC appreciates that China PR, the CFA and the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 LOC have made this very difficult but necessary decision in the collective interests of the AFC Asian Cup 2023, which has also provided the AFC the required time to assess the situation regarding the hosting of the AFC Asian Cup 2023.

The AFC will continue to work closely with its commercial partners and stakeholders to chart the course forward and remains grateful to them for their understanding and support during this period."

More information on the next steps in the AFC Asian Cup 2023 hosting process will be released in due course as informed by the AFC. Nepal is also vying for a place in the Asian Cup next year with the qualifiers scheduled for June where they will face Jordan, Kuwait and Indonesia.