DOHA: The local organising committee of the Asian Cup Qatar 2023 revealed on Wednesday evening the tournament’s slogan, 'Come on Asia',coinciding with the start of the 100-day countdown to the start of the tournament. It will be held from January 12 to February 10, 2024.

The tournament's slogan, 'Come on Asia', reflects the vitality and activity of the upcoming football event, and the unified nature of the prestigious tournament that brings together the teams of the Asian continent under its umbrella.

Nine stadiums designed according to the latest international standards are scheduled to host 51 matches of the tournament, as Qatar prepares to host the Asian Cup for the third time, thus achieving a record in hosting the Asian Football Festival, after it succeeded in organizing the tournament twice before, in 1988 and2011.

The 18th edition of the Asian Championships will witness the participation of Qatar, the host country, as the title holder. The tournament, the largest of its kind in the Asian continent, depends on the legacy left by the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, which was held for the first time in the Arab world and the Middle East region nearly a year ago.

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the Asian Cup Qatar 2023, pointed out that hosting the Asian Championship, which will witness 51 matches in nine stadiums, will allow fans to restore the enthusiastic football atmosphere of the Qatar World Cup 2022, starting from the opening whistle of the match.

His Excellency added: “Once again, we are fully prepared to host a number of the best players in the world. The 24 best teams in Asia will make their way to Qatar to compete in the international football tournament on the continent. And once again, the players and fans will find themselves waiting for them.”

"World-class stadiums and sports facilities, modern infrastructure, and many exciting and vibrant cultural experiences provide everyone with a rich and lasting experience.”His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani continued: “There is no doubt that Qatari fans and residents of the country will mobilize their ranks and stand behind the Qatar national team with all enthusiasm to support Al Annabi on its journey to defend the title on its home soil and among its fans."

In conjunction with hosting the Asian Championship, many activities and events are being planned for fans, who will benefit greatly from the close distances in Qatar, as both fans and players alike will be able to reside in one place throughout the competition period while moving easily between the stadiums in which they are located. The matches are hosted using an integrated system of transportation, including a modern metro network and modern roads.

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani said: “We believe in the influential power of football and its ability to bring together people from all over the world under its banner, and its role in building bridges of communication between different peoples and promoting cultural exchange. Hosting a prestigious tournament the size of the Asian Cup goes beyond just holding a sporting event, rather, it means inviting the peoples of the world to rapprochement and get to know each other, and to enhance cooperation and the language of constructive dialogue and understanding, which is the goal that we seek to achieve.”

The 2023 Asian Cup Qatar will witness the participation of teams such as Tajikistan for the first time in the tournament, and the return of other teams such as Hong Kong, China, after an absence of 68 years.The continent's giants, such as Australia, Japan and South Korea, will look to enhance their success after the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where the three teams were able to qualify from the group stage.As for the regional level, it is certain that the former champions who were able to top the podium in previous tournaments, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Iran, will attract large crowds as they compete to lift the cup again.

His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani concluded: “Similar to the 2022 Qatar World Cup when Qatar hosted a tournament that was enjoyed by fans in the region and the world and not just in Qatar, the Asian Cup will be an enjoyable tournament for fans in the region and the entire continent as well. We are pleased to welcome fans from all over Asia to attend the football festival and enjoy world-class football competitions, as well as enjoy Arab hospitality and learn closely about our ancient customs and traditions.”