The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has declared that six of Qatar’s eight World Cup stadiums will be utilized for the upcoming Asian Cup, which is scheduled to be held in the Gulf nation from January 12 to February 10, 2023.
However, two of the World Cup stadiums, the Lusail stadium which was used for the World Cup final and the iconic 974 stadium made from containers, will not be a part of the tournament. The Asian Cup was initially scheduled to take place in China this year but was postponed and relocated due to the country’s COVID-19 restrictions.
According to AFC President Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Qatar’s successful hosting of the World Cup last year gives hope that the Asian Cup will be an unparalleled spectacle in the history of Asian football. The multi-billion dollar infrastructure laid down for the World Cup will be utilized for the upcoming Asian Cup. The following World Cup stadiums will be utilized for the tournament: Al Janoub stadium, Al Bayt stadium, Ahmed Bin Ali stadium, Al Thumama stadium, Education City stadium, and Khalifa International stadium. Additionally, the smaller Jassim bin Hamad stadium and Abdullah bin Khalifa stadium will also be used.
The 974 stadium located near the Doha seafront will be dismantled and donated to a developing country. Some containers have already been taken away, but authorities have not yet disclosed the location where the stadium will be sent. Qatar’s 80,000 capacity Lusail stadium, which was the location of the World Cup final where Argentina defeated France, will also be modified, but Qatar has not yet made any official announcement regarding the commencement of the process.
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