Mohammad Amin

DOHA: With less than 100 days to go for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has announced that the launch of tickets sales for the continental tournament will begin from today. 

This will be third time after 1988 and 2011 that Qatar would be hosting the 24-team competition, where the host nation is defending champion.  

Asian Cup is scheduled to be held from January 12, 2024, to February 10, 2024. 

Qatar won their maiden title in UAE in the 2019 edition. 

“The minimum price of ticket is QR 25. The denominations of remaining categories and classes will be announced soon. Qatar welcomes all international fans to come and watch the tournament,” Marketing and Communications Executive Director of LOC, Hassan Al Kuwari, told www.urduradio.qa. 

24 teams have been divided into six groups with Qatar in Group A along with Lebanon, Tajikistan and China.

Qatar will lock horns with Lebanon in the tournament opener on January 12 at Lusail Stadium, which hosted the FIFA 2022 World Cup final. 

Nine stadiums will be used during the competition including seven World Cup venues and Al Duhail and Al Sadd stadiums.

“In terms of legacy, we are following the FIFA World Cup. Seven FIFA World Cup stadiums will be used for Asian Cup. It will add the fans experience. Fans who couldn’t come to Qatar during the FIFA World Cup will get a same feeling of the World Cup,” he added. 

As for the Indian community based in Qatar, they can look forward to their national team, who would be making a consecutive appearance in the tournament. 

The Indian team is clubbed in Group B with Australia, Uzbekistan, and Syria. They will open the campaign on January 13.

Other groups:
Group C: Iran, UAE, Hong Kong and Palestine
Group D: Japan, Indonesia, Iraq and Vietnam
Group E: South Korea, Malaysia, Jordan and Bahrain
Group F: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kyrgyzstan and Thailand