EXPLAINED: Why Australia are playing in Asian Cup 2024 despite not being in Asia territorially

The AFC Asian Cup is all set to take the spotlight for the next few days as Asia’s biggest international football competition started on Friday (Jan 12) in Qatar. Originally planned to start in June 2023, the tournament was postponed to January 2024 after hosts Qatar were involved in the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup while weather conditions were also taken into account. With 24 teams battling for glory at the continental showpiece, Australia (better known as Socceroos) remain in the spotlight for different reasons as they bid to win their second title.