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This is an archive article published on April 11, 2025
India bids to host 2031 Asian Cup football, up against Australia, UAE
The AIFF has shown interest in hosting the 2031 Asian Cup, with countries like Saudi Arabia, Australia and South Korea all in the race.
File image of the Indian football team in action with Sunil Chhetri back in the side. (AIFF Media)
After surrendering their bid in the wake of interest from Saudi Arabia, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has thrown its hat in the ring to host the 2031 Asian Cup, the continental body announced on Friday.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) received a record seven Expressions of Interest to host the 2031 Asian Cup. Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and a joint bid from Kyrgyz, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the others who have shown interest to host the championship.
The bids for the 2031 edition were opened on November 27, 2024, and the deadline to submit expression of interest was March 31, 2025.
India had earlier bid for the 2027 edition and was involved in a two-horse race with Saudi Arabia. However, the AIFF withdrew its bid without much explanation to hand over the hosting rights to the Gulf nation, which will also host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The AFC said the seven bids they received were the highest in ‘modern history’.
The AFC President said: “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.
“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,” AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in a media release.
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The AFC added that moving forward, they ‘will now work with the Bidding MAs (Member Associations) on the delivery of the necessary bidding documentation in accordance with the established timelines and processes, with a Bidding Workshop for the AFC Asian Cup 2031 scheduled to be held later this month.’
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