Citing Pandemic, China Withdraws as Host of 2023 Asian Cup

A Chinese flag flutters at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China October 25, 2019. REUTERS/Florence Lo
A Chinese flag flutters at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China October 25, 2019. REUTERS/Florence Lo
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Citing Pandemic, China Withdraws as Host of 2023 Asian Cup

A Chinese flag flutters at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China October 25, 2019. REUTERS/Florence Lo
A Chinese flag flutters at the Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China October 25, 2019. REUTERS/Florence Lo

China relinquished its right to host soccer's 2023 Asian Cup on Saturday in the latest cancellation of the country's sports hosting duties during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Asian Football Confederation praised Chinese soccer officials for making “this very difficult but necessary decision in the collective interests of the AFC Asian Cup.”

The 24-nation tournament was due to be played in 10 cities in mostly newly built stadiums in June and July of next year.

The four-yearly Asian Cup is traditionally played in January and February. Qatar (2011) and Australia (2015) hosted the tournament when it was played in January, while the 2019 event in the United Arab Emirates was held from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1.

China was due to host the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in September but that was postponed along with nearly all international sports events in the country. China did host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing though under a strict lockdown for athletes and officials with few fans able to attend.



Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
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Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £116 million ($157 million) to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, it was widely reported on Friday.

The Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, but the performance-related add-ons, if achieved, would make it a potential British record, AFP reported.

Liverpool's overall outlay for the 22-year-old Germany international could surpass the £115 million Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in 2023 for Moises Caicedo, who turned down Anfield.

Midfielder Caicedo cost Chelsea an initial £100 million fee, which could rise to £115 million.

Striker Darwin Nunez was Liverpool's previous record signing in 2022, although they have not paid the full £85 million as he has not met all the requirements for certain add-ons to be due.

Manchester City had been keen on Wirtz but pulled out, reportedly due to the spiraling costs of the whole package.