Vietnamese people watch the group stage of Asian Cup 2023 the most

According to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Vietnam is the country with the highest television viewership of the 2023 Asian Cup group stage.

Viewership of the 2023 Asian Cup group stage increased by 14% compared to the same period in 2019. Vietnam led with 200 million TV viewers of 36 group stage matches, up 84% compared to the previous tournament in the UAE. Broadcasting matches for free on the territory is Vietnam's advantage compared to other countries.

Indonesia returned to the Asian Cup for the first time since 2007, attracting 154 million TV viewers. This was also the first time the archipelago nation had advanced beyond the group stage, before losing 0-4 to Australia in the round of 16. South Korea, on pay TV, still attracted 65 million viewers, up 51% from 2019.

A public place to watch the 2023 Asian Cup on television at a beach in Qatar. Photo: AFC — A public place to watch the 2023 Asian Cup on television at a beach in Qatar. Photo: *AFC*

Group stage TV viewing data is collected by the AFC from the largest markets with the ability to collect information. The data does not include social media platforms, which the AFC expects to produce more impressive figures when integrated.

The 2019 Asian Cup recorded 733 million television views for the entire tournament. Vietnam's quarter-final match, where they lost 0-1 to Japan, attracted the most views, with 40.42 million. Qatar's final match, where they beat Japan 3-0, had 35.99 million.

The AFC noted that the 2023 Asian Cup will be the most widely covered and accessible edition ever, with a reach of 160 countries and territories. For the first time, all group stage matches will be available in the Americas, Europe and Africa.

In addition to the good TV statistics, up to the round of 16, the 2023 Asian Cup recorded more than 1.168 million spectators coming to the stadium - breaking the record set in 2004, also in Qatar, with 937,650 spectators. The record will increase even more with seven more matches left. Qatar's opening match, a 3-0 win over Lebanon at Lusail Stadium, had the largest number of spectators with 82,490 people.

In this tournament, Vietnam stopped right after the group stage after losing 2-4 to Japan, 0-1 to Indonesia and 2-3 to Iraq. The team under the leadership of coach Philippe Troussier received a lot of criticism for the way they used their players and their playing style. This was also the first time Vietnam failed to get past the group stage, after reaching the quarter-finals twice in 2007 and 2019.

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