Asian soccer governing body the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced a six-year global partnership with Qatari state-owned airline Qatar Airways.
The airline will serve as the official global partner of the AFC covering all AFC international competitions through 2029, beginning with the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, which will be hosted in Qatar from January 12 to February 10, 2024. The Gulf state is also set to host the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup.
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The airline will offer tailored travel packages to fixtures in the upcoming Asian Cup for fans across Asia through its Qatar Airways Holidays leisure division.
The sponsorship will also cover AFC club competitions, from the current AFC Champions League 2023-24 knockout stage into the pair of revamped AFC continental club competitions and the new AFC Women’s Champions League, which will take its place from the 2024-25 season onwards.
AFC youth national soccer team competitions will also be covered by the sponsorship, as will the AFC futsal Asian Cup competitions in 2024, 2026, and 2028.
AFC general secretary Windsor John stated: “This collaboration again underlines the ever-growing appeal of the AFC’s competitions. With Qatar Airways, we look forward to expanding our global footprint. This partnership not only connects fans across borders but also enhances the accessibility of our sports events on a truly international scale with seamless and convenient travel experiences.”
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By GlobalDataThe airline is currently engaged in several high-profile soccer tie-ups, most notably with global soccer governing body FIFA.
Qatar Airways recently renewed its long-term partnership with the body, which sits above the AFC, and will continue to serve as its global airline partner through 2030, having begun the partnership in 2017.
The airline also partners with many top European soccer clubs, including Italian giants Inter Milan.
Its partnership with record German champions Bayern Munich, however, was allowed to expire after fan pressure forced the German club to end the deal.
