If, like us, you are going through major World Cup withdrawal symptoms, it’s time to rejoice, as football mania will soon return to Qatar.

The most prestigious prize in Asian football, AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, will be held across the city from Friday January 12 to Saturday February 10, 2024.

The highly anticipated competition will be staged across six of the eight stadiums that were venues for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – namely Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Bayt Stadium, Al Janoub Stadium, Al Thumama Stadium, Education City Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium – as well as Jassim bin Hamad Stadium and Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

Asia’s top 24 nations will compete in the event that will be held across 30 days, that’s two more than the 28-day 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates.

You might also like: All of the World Cup stadiums ranked

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said, “We know that the Local Organising Committee and the Qatar Football Association will stage a true spectacle never before experienced in Asian football history.

“Already, we have witnessed the QFA and the Qatari Authorities organise the best-ever FIFA World Cup in the history of the modern game, and we have every faith that they will showcase their unrivalled hosting capabilities, state-of-the-art infrastructure and warm hospitality well admired throughout the world for the benefit of our teams, players and passionate fans.

“We praise them for their dedication and commitment, and we are delighted to confirm the competition dates and venues, which represents an important milestone in our ambitions to provide the ultimate stage for our teams and players to shine.”

Qatar are the reigning AFC Asian Cup champions, having defeated Japan 3-1 in an exciting final held at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi on February 1, 2019.

The AFC Asian Cup, held every four years, was previously held in Qatar in 1988 and 2011.