The preparations are in full swing as there are just 35 days to go until Qatar hosts the Asian Cup from January 12 to February 10, 2024 for the third time.This edition of the AFC Asian Cup – the 18th in its illustrious history – will see the host country take part as the defending champions. The tournament will build on the legacy built by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 which took place for the first time in the Arab world and Middle East approximately one year ago.For Hamad al-Thani, Senior Manager Local and Regional Media 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qatar LOC, hosting 51 matches in nine stadiums will allow fans the opportunity to relive the excitement of the FIFA World Cup."The preparations are going really well. We’re now approaching the final countdown, the 30-day countdown of the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023. It’s taking place one year after Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup which was a resounding success. So it’s going to be huge responsibility on us as LOC to keep the same momentum of the World Cup. Hopefully, Qatar will once again show that it never fails to surprise everyone with its operations,” Hamad al-Thani said yesterday.Qatar is hosting the tournament for a record third time, having successfully organised it twice before, in 1988 and 2011. "We are ready once again to host some of the world’s best players as the top 24 teams from Asia will make their way to Qatar to compete in the continent’s most prestigious football competition,” he said.Hamad al-Thani also feels that fans from the entire continent will enjoy the tournament. "The fans were the true gems of the World Cup. We feel for this competition also the fans will play an important part and will add value in the Asian Cup. We are expecting a lot of fans to visit Qatar from across the continent. The ticket sale for the tournament is receiving overwhelming response from many countries and based on that we are looking forward to hosting a huge number of fans,” he said.
December 07, 2023 | 11:38 PM