April 11 – A record seven member associations have formally expressed interest in hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2031, all submitting their candidatures by the March 31 deadline.
Speaking at the AFC’s executive committee meeting ahead of the AFC’s annual congress in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said: “The record number of bids that we have received is further testament to the stature and appeal of the AFC Asian Cup and on behalf of the AFC Executive Committee, I would like to put on record our sincere appreciation to all our MAs for outlining their ambition to extend and expand on our proud legacy.”
Expanded to 24 teams in 2019, the 2023 edition was held in January 2024 breaking all records for attendance, broadcast views and social media engagement. With the 2027 edition in Saudi Arabia expected to break all record again, the AFC’s member nations are now queuing up to get in on the action.
Bidding nations include Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and a joint central Asian bid from the Kyrgyz Football Union, Tajikistan Football Federation and Uzbekistan FA.
“The AFC Asian Cup is undoubtedly one of the greatest success stories and the last edition in Qatar firmly cemented Asia’s flagship as one of the best football competitions in the world,” said Salman.
“Hosting the AFC Asian Cup™ has consistently provided tangible and intangible benefits, including infrastructure development, enhanced connectivity, organisational expertise, elevated football technical standards and solidifying the host nation’s status as a global sports hub,” he continued.
“The unprecedented level of interest we have witnessed reflects both the high ambitions of the AFC’s Member Associations and their increasing confidence in their own capacities and capabilities to host a tournament as significant as the AFC Asian Cup.”
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