India to host 2023 Asian Cup third round qualifiers in Kolkata
February 18, 2022
AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers: India, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan are the six host nations for AFC Asian Cup 2023 Qualifiers.
The Qualifiers Final Round will be held across three match days on June 8, 11 and 14, 2022, while the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 will start on June 16, 2023.
There are 13 teams, including host China PR, that have already qualified on the basis of their earlier performances in the second round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers. The final 11 places remain up for grabs for 24 teams in the decisive Group Stage.
There are 24 teams still competing for a place at China 2023, six have never appeared in the AFC Asian Cup, while the likes of Hong Kong and Cambodia will be hopeful of qualifying for the first time in over half a century, with the winners and five best runners-up of the six centralised qualifying groups to complete the field for the quadrennial showpiece event.
India will host the matches at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. China will host the main tournament in 2023.
“We had bid to host the third round qualifiers of the AFC Asian Cup, and are grateful to the Asian Football Confederation for accepting our bid,” All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das said.
“We understand that playing at home, and that too in Kolkata will be an added advantage to the Blue Tigers in our quest to qualify for the Asian Cup.”
The Indian team was part of the last Asian Cup but could not make the knockouts despite a fine victory over Thailand in their tournament opener.
Das added, “We had bid with Kolkata as the venue for the qualifiers. The infrastructure in Kolkata is exceptionally suited to host the qualifiers with the stadium, the practice venues and official accommodation all very closely located.
“The support from the host association, and the state government has also always been exemplary.
“We hope that the health parameters in June will allow fans to witness live action in the stadium.”
