On July 30, Beijing time, the Asian Football Confederation decided to hold the "2028 AFC U23 Championship" in Japan.
The 2028 AFC U23 Championship is also a qualifying tournament for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The top two teams in this tournament will qualify for the Olympic Games.
Detailed information regarding the dates, venues, and kick-off times for the 2028 AFC U23 Championship will be announced once finalized.
Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said: "I am truly delighted that Japan will be able to host the 2028 AFC U23 Championship. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who worked hard to win the bid and to the AFC for entrusting this important event to Japan."
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto stated, "This tournament will also serve as the Asian qualifier for the 34th Olympic Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, providing a stage for young players to challenge themselves with greater goals. This age group is also an important period for players' growth. I myself was at this age, aiming for the Olympics, and learned the sense of mission to fight for my country and the joy of challenging the world."
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto stated, "I hope more fans will come to the stadium to watch this real competition for Olympic tickets and feel the energy of the U-23 Japanese team and players from other Asian countries. The Japan Football Association's growth strategy aims to strengthen the Japanese national team while contributing to the development of football across Asia, with Japan leading this growth."
Tsuneyasu Miyamoto stated, "We hope to create an environment where players who will shoulder the future of Asian football can perform at their best, making them feel, 'It's great to play in Japan.' At the same time, we hope this will be an opportunity for the Japanese public to witness young talents challenging the world and experience the charm of Asian football. Asian talents will shine in Japan and go on to conquer the world. We will work together to create such a tournament."
