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AFC Asian Cup 2019
SportFootball

China 2023 set to be ‘biggest and most watched AFC Asian Cup’

  • AFC secretary general Windsor John praises progress on football specific stadiums for the tournament despite Covid-19 impact
  • ‘We are sure that the AFC Asian Cup will be a significant moment in the next stage of the growth of the game in China,’ he says

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Chinese players greet supporters at the end of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 round of 16 win over Thailand. Photo: AP
Jonathan White
The AFC Asian Cup in China in 2023 is set to be “the biggest and most watched AFC Asian Cup in history”, according to Asian Football Confederation general secretary Windsor John.
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Speaking to Chinese media on Friday, John praised the preparations for the tournament, which includes the building of several football specific stadiums.

“Such cooperation early in the planning for what will be the biggest and most watched AFC Asian Cup in history has been invaluable and we thank the LOC as well as the CFA for their important contributions,” John said.

Several of China’s historic football stadiums, such as the Workers’ Stadium in Beijing, are undergoing renovations for the tournament.

AFC general secretary Windsor John displays the slip of the People's Republic of China during the final draw for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Photo: AFP
AFC general secretary Windsor John displays the slip of the People's Republic of China during the final draw for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Photo: AFP
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“There has also been significant development in the construction of football specific stadiums and there is no doubt that the People’s Republic of China will provide the perfect platform for the competition.

“Work is already under way at the iconic Beijing Workers Stadium while in Shanghai the new Pudong Stadium is already close to completion and the other eight grounds are in differing stages of development,” the AFC head added.

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