On the 25th, reporter Madsing returned with news that five West Asian member associations are jockeying for the right to host the sixth U23 Asian Cup in 2024.
Notably, the tournament is also the Asian qualifier for the men's soccer team for the 2024 Paris Olympics, making it extremely competitive. Currently, five member associations - Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Uzbekistan - have submitted applications. After successfully hosting the fifth edition of the tournament, the UAE Football Association's bid to host the sixth edition is in line with the regulations and has been approved by the AFC.
Under the agreement between FIFA and the Olympics, there will be 3.5 places for Asia in the men's soccer tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Teams that reach the quarterfinals at the U23 Asian Cup can qualify for the Olympics, with the top three advancing directly and the fourth having to play a play-off against the fourth-placed team from the African zone.
However, the AFC also announced that the rotation of hosting between the East and West Asian regions will be abolished from the seventh U23 Asian Cup in 2026. The member association that wins the right to host the 2027 Asian Cup will also be awarded the right to host an odd number of U23 Asian Cups. Currently, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran are vying for the right to host the 2027 Asian Cup, and if one of them is awarded the right to host the 2024 U23 Asian Cup, it may host consecutive tournaments in 2026.
The AFC planned to hold the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers from September 4-12, 2023, with the final stage matches expected to be held from January 10-28, 2024. However, Qatar is competing with South Korea and Indonesia for the right to host the final stage of the 2023 Asian Cup, and if Qatar wins, the tournament will be postponed until January 2024, with the U23 Asian Cup final stage matches likely to be delayed until February or March.
