Holders Qatar to host delayed AFC Asian Cup as Gulf influence within the game grows
- West Asia is the dominant financial power in the game but it remains to be seen whether that transfers to the pitch
- Japan are the favourites, with boss Hajime Moriyasu looking to become the first man to win the Asian title both as a player and a coach
Qatar returns to the spotlight on Friday little more than a year after the first World Cup held in the Arab world when the relocated and delayed 2023 Asian Cup gets under way amid a seismic shift in football’s global order.
Fuelled by massive sums of Saudi cash, following huge investment from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, West Asia is now undoubtedly the dominant financial power in the game but it remains to be seen whether that transfers to pre-eminence on the pitch.
Qatar go into the tournament as defending champions having picked up their first title five years ago with a surprise victory over four-times champions Japan in Abu Dhabi.
Following China’s withdrawal as hosts because of its rigid “zero-Covid” policy, Qatar will now also stage the tournament for the third time in its 68-year history.
China’s footballing gold rush has petered out since it won hosting rights and Saudi Arabia has emerged as one of the most powerful forces in the game.
Emboldened by Qatar’s success in hosting the 2022 edition, the Saudis emerged as the only candidate to host the 2034 World Cup, having already organised the Club World Cup and won the rights to host the 2027 Asian Cup.
