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China has been all but confirmed as host nation of the next AFC Asian Cup tournament in 2023 following the withdrawl of South Korea - the only other bidders - from the process.

As reported by Reuters, the Korean Football Association (KFA) notified the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) of their intention to withdraw in a letter last week, paving the way for China to host the tournament for the second time.

The world’s most populous nation last hosted the continental championship in 2004, when they lost the final 3-1 to Japan in Beijing.

Announcing the bid withdrawl on the Association’s website, KFA Secretary General Chun Hanjin advised “we need to make a choice between the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the Women’s World Cup.

“We decided to focus on the women’s World Cup strategically.

“In case of the women’s World Cup, FIFA and the government will actively support the joint hosting of the two Koreas.”

The KFA in March announced a joint bid with North Korea to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa have also expressed interest.

The AFC are scheduled to announce the 2023 Asian Cup hosts on 4^th June.

Qatar, the hosts of the next World Cup in 2022, won their first Asian Cup title earlier this year with a 3-1 victory over Japan in the United Arab Emirates.

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