Saudi Arabia are the current under-23 Asian champions ©Getty Images

Qatar has been selected to stage the 2024 Under-23 Asian Cup - a qualification event for the Olympic Games in Paris.

Three Olympic berths, plus one in a playoff versus an African team, are due to be on offer at the tournament.

Iran, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had all applied to stage the competition, but the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Competitions Committee found Qatar had put together the most compelling bid.

Qatar is due to stage the FIFA World Cup later this year - the first time football's biggest event has been brought to the Middle East - and is also bidding for next year's Asian Cup as well as the 2027 edition.

China had been due to host the senior Asian Cup next year, but withdrew because of the COVID-19 crisis.

Qatar, host of the next FIFA World Cup, has added the rights to another significant football event ©Getty Images
Qatar, host of the next FIFA World Cup, has added the rights to another significant football event ©Getty Images

Uzbekistan hosted the Under-23 Asian Cup this year as Saudi Arabia won the title for the first time.

The 2020 edition in Thailand was won by South Korea, who qualified for the Olympics in Tokyo along with Australia and Saudi Arabia.

Japan also qualified for the last Olympics as hosts.

AFC teams have only twice won a medal in the men's Olympic football tournament - Japan in 1968 and South Korea in 2012.