Qatar completes organization, gives special things to fans

On January 10, Qatar confirmed that it had completed preparations to host the 18th Asian Football Championship (AFC Asian Cup 2023) which will take place from January 12 to February 10.

The 2023 Asian Cup finals will be held in Qatar and the opening ceremony will take place on January 12. (Source: AP)

Host country Qatar also "revealed" special surprises awaiting football fans at the opening ceremony at Lusail Stadium on January 12.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Hassan Rabea Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Organizing Committee - promised that "the opening ceremony of the tournament will be a surprise for everyone. There will be special events organized for the fans".

The opening ceremony will begin at 5pm on January 12 (9pm the same day, Hanoi time) at Lusail Stadium, which has a capacity of 88,000 people.

Next up is the tournament opener at 7pm between defending champions and hosts Qatar and Lebanon in Group A. The gates to Lusail Stadium will open at 2pm to welcome spectators to the opening ceremony and the opening match.

According to Mr. Al Kuwari, the organization of the 2023 Asian Cup has many advantages when Qatar inherits the entire infrastructure when hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Qatar will do everything possible to turn the 2023 Asian Cup into an event with global influence like the 2022 World Cup.

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 Organizing Committee assessed that the number of nearly 900,000 tickets sold proves the attractiveness of the continent's top tournament to football fans.

Host nation Qatar said that more than 2,000 reporters and media staff will cover the tournament. In addition, the Organizing Committee has mobilized more than 6,000 volunteers from 107 countries to make this event a memorable AFC Asian Cup for fans.

After successfully hosting two AFC Asian Cups in 1988 and 2011, Qatar became the first host country to host Asia's biggest football festival three times.

The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 is the second time the tournament has been expanded from 16 teams to 24 teams, divided into 6 groups. The top two teams in each group and the 4 best third-placed teams will advance to the knockout round.

( according to VNA )

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