Doha, Qatar: His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir, will preside over the opening ceremony of the AFC Asian Cup at the iconic Lusail Stadium today as Qatar prepares to host the continental showpiece for the third time.
The opening ceremony, described by the Local Organising Committee (LOC) as "a surprise for everyone," is set to commence at 5 pm, two hours before Qatar, the hosts and defending champions, face Lebanon in the inaugural match. Divided into six groups, Asia's top 24 teams are competing for the prestigious title across nine world-class stadiums, hosting a total of 51 matches during the 30-day tournament.
This marks the first time that Asian Cup games will be played at FIFA World Cup venues, with seven stadiums that hosted the Qatar 2022 matches serving as the grounds for the fixtures. The Lusail Stadium, where Lionel Messi's Argentina secured the World Cup in a thrilling final against France, will host the Asian Cup title clash on February 10.
After successfully hosting the tournament in 1988 and 2011, Qatar is poised to stage the most successful Asian Cup edition yet, following its organization of the FIFA World Cup, acclaimed as the best-ever global football showpiece.
Qatar completed preparations for the Asian Cup in record time after being awarded hosting rights in October 2022, following China's withdrawal due to its zero-COVID policy.
"Just over a year ago, Qatar hosted the greatest-ever edition of the FIFA World Cup, and now the stage is set for the grandest AFC Asian Cup to date," stated AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa ahead of the kickoff. "I am confident that the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 will be remembered as Asian football's finest hour."
Title contenders such as four-time winners Japan, along with former champions Iran, South Korea, and Australia, will vie for the championship alongside Qatar, aiming to retain their title in front of home fans following their triumph in the United Arab Emirates in 2019.
In addition to the action-packed matches, fans can enjoy a wide array of entertainment activities planned by the LOC across the country during the tournament. The gates of Lusail Stadium will open at 2 pm today, with spectators advised to arrive early to avoid inconvenience. A fan zone featuring cultural festivities, live shows, and gaming areas has been set up at the stadium.