Asian qualifiers for 2022 FIFA World Cup to be moved from China to Dubai due to Covid-19 travel restrictions

The Asian Football Confederation has issued a statement confirming a move from China to Dubai, without saying where the next World Cup qualifying matches would be held.

China’s COVID-19 travel restrictions mean World Cup qualifying matches scheduled for the eastern city of Suzhou this week will likely be relocated to the United Arab Emirates. The Chinese Football Association issued a statement Monday saying the outbreak of infections in the Maldives and Syria meant both national teams would have to undergo strict quarantine after arriving in China, and couldn’t play as scheduled. The Asian Football Confederation later issued a statement confirming a move from China, without saying where the next matches would be held.