China is withdrawing as host of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, according to an announcement by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Chinese fans worry that the move indicates that lockdowns to contain COVID-19 will continue through 2023.
On May 14, a statement by the AFC acknowledged that the pandemic led to China relinquishing its hosting rights.
A new host country is yet to be announced, but the decision drew heated online discussion and concerns from the Chinese fans. Many worry Beijing’s strict zero-COVID policy will continue throughout 2022, and the majority of Chinese lives won’t likely resume normalcy by next summer.
Huge Investment Wasted
China was appointed as host of the Asian Cup on June 5, 2019, and the 24-team competition was to be held in 10 cities across China from June 16 to July 16, 2023.
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