Thailand have confirmed their withdrawal from the bidding process for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, following the footsteps of Indonesia.
According to reports from Reuters, the AFC said in a brief statement: “Football Association of Thailand (FAT) have today notified the Asian Football Confederation of its decision to withdraw from the on-going bidding process for the AFC Asian Cup to be staged in 2023.”
The reason for the withdraw of Thailand has remained unknown. It leaves China and South Korea contesting the right to stage the next quadrennial continental championship.
The final hosting decision is expected to be made in 2018.
Thailand last hosted the tournament in 2007 as one of four co-hosts along with Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, having previously been the sole hosts in 1972.