The deadline for 2023 Asian Cup hosting bids has been extended as Australia's considers its options. -AAP Image
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has extended its deadline to receive bids for staging the 2023 Asian Cup following China's decision to relinquish its hosting rights.
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Interested parties must now confirm their bid by July 15, the AFC said in a statement, having previously set a June 30 deadline after inviting bids for the championship last month.
China was set to host the 24-team tournament in June and July next year but the country's strict COVID-19 policy resulted in the event being moved.
South Korea's football association confirmed last week that it will launch a bid to host the event while Japan said in May it had been informally approached about the possibility of replacing China as hosts.
Football Australia said last week it was also weighing up a possible bid.
If Australia did bid successfully, the Asian Cup, which is scheduled to start on June 23, would finish just before the country hosts the Women's World Cup.
The Socceroos famously claimed a first Asian Cup title when Australia hosted the tournament in 2015.
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