2031 AFC Asian Cup bids

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The 2031 and 2035 AFC Asian Cup bids refer to the selection processes organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to determine the host nation(s) for the 2031 and 2035 editions of the AFC Asian Cup.

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These editions mark the beginning of a new era for the competition, as they will be the first Asian Cups awarded under a multi-cycle hosting strategy in which two future tournaments are selected simultaneously.

The bidding processes are overseen by the AFC, Asia’s governing body of association football. In April 2025, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa proposed that the hosts for both tournaments be chosen at the same AFC Congress to provide longer lead times for planning, infrastructure development, and commercial preparations.

The bidding window for both tournaments closed on 31 December 2025, and the hosts are expected to be appointed by the AFC Congress, likely in 2026.

Background

The AFC Asian Cup is the premier men’s national team competition in Asia. Traditionally, hosts have been selected for each tournament individually. However, growing commercial interest, broadcast expansion, and the increasing scale of infrastructure requirements led the AFC to explore a multi-cycle host selection model.

Under this model, the AFC aims to:

The 2031 and 2035 tournaments will be the first to follow this new approach.

Bidding process

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) formally opened the bidding process following the conclusion of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup cycle. Member Associations were invited to submit expressions of interest and detailed bid documentation in accordance with the AFC’s bidding regulations on 11 April 2025. [1] [2] The bidding timeline is as follows:

Both hosts are expected to be announced at the same congress in 2027 in =Saudi Arabia.

Confirmed bids

On 4 February 2026, AFC confirmed that it had received six official bids to host the 2031 tournament: Australia, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, South Korea and a joint bid from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan & Uzbekistan. [3]

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia

Football Australia submitted an expression of interest to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup. Australia previously hosted the tournament in 2015 Asian Cup, co-hosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with New Zealand, and is scheduled to host the 2035 edition. The country is also bidding for the 2035 edition. [4]

Flag of India.svg  India

The All India Football Federation submitted an expression of interest to host the 2031 tournament. [5] India previously hosted the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. The bid has received formal support from the Government of India. [6] [7]

Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia

On 11 December 2024, the Football Association of Indonesia announced its intention to bid for the 2031 Asian Cup. [8] [9] [10] [11] Indonesia previously co-hosted the 2007 tournament with Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. [12]

According to AFC secretary general Windsor John, the Football Association of Indonesia had selected the following the host cities and stadiums: [12]

Jakarta Surabaya Cibinong
Jakarta International Stadium Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium Pakansari Stadium
Capacity: 82,000Capacity: 77,193Capacity: 46,806Capacity: 30,000
Jakarta International Stadium from West Gate (2024).jpg Asian Games 2018 GBK Stadium 10.jpg Gelora Bung Tomo renovated.jpg Pakansari Stadium Bogor Indonesia.jpg
Bandung
(Soreang)		 Medan
(Deli Serdang Regency)		 Palembang Surakarta
Si Jalak Harupat Stadium North Sumatra Stadium Gelora Sriwijaya Stadium Manahan Stadium
Capacity: 27,000Capacity: 25,750Capacity: 23,000Capacity: 20,000
Si Jalak Harupat 2023.jpg Image North Sumatra Stadium.jpg Stadion-gelora-sriwijaya-palembang.jpg Manahan 2022.jpg

Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait

On 30 December 2024, the Kuwait Football Association announced it had submitted a bid for the 2031 Asian Cup, after hosting the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup. [13] Kuwait previously hosted the 1980 Asian Cup. They are also bidding for the 2035 edition.

Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea

On 28 February 2025, the Korea Football Association submitted an expression of interest to host the 2031 Asian Cup. They last hosted the 1960 Asian Cup. They are also bidding for the 2035 edition. [14]

Flag of Kyrgyzstan.svg  Kyrgyzstan, Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan & Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan (joint bid)

On 24 February 2025, the Central Asian Football Association announced a historic bid to bring the Asian Cup to Central Asia for the first time. Uzbekistan hosted the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup and is scheduled to co-host the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup with Azerbaijan and host the 2029 AFC Women's Asian Cup. [15] [16] The 2023 CAFA Nations Cup was hosted by Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, and the 2025 edition by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. [17] [18]

Withdrawn bids

Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates

On 21 February 2025, the United Arab Emirates Football Association submitted a bid to host the 2031 Asian Cup. The United Arab Emirates had previously hosted the Asian Cup in 1996 and 2019. [19] However, on 27 November 2025, the United Arab Emirates Football Association announced that they would withdraw their bid. [20]

References

  1. ↑ "Shaikh Salman hails unprecedented response for AFC Asian Cup 2031™ hosting". AFC. 11 April 2025.
  2. ↑ "Bidding regulations for the AFC Asian Cup 2031 and the AFC Asian Cup 2035" (PDF). Asian Football Confederation .
  3. ↑ "AFC receives bids to host for AFC Asian Cup 2035™". Asian Football Confederation. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
  4. ↑ "Australia interested in 2031 Asian Cup, Central Asian nations launch joint bid". Reuters. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  5. ↑ "Shaikh Salman hails unprecedented response for AFC Asian Cup 2031™ hosting". the-AFC. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
  6. ↑ "Hosting Asia to be a big boost for Indian football, says Sports Minister on AIFF's AFC Asian Cup 2031 bid". www.the-aiff.com. Retrieved 2025-04-12.
  7. ↑ "Govt throws weight behind AIFF's bid to host Asian Cup 2031". The Times of India. 2025-04-13. ISSN   0971-8257 . Retrieved 2025-04-12.
  8. ↑ "Indonesia Bids to Host 2031 Asian Cup as Sole Host Nation". Tempo. 19 September 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  9. ↑ "Indonesia Proposes To Host The 2031 Asian Cup Singles". VOI. 11 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  10. ↑ "PSSI Pastikan Indonesia Daftar Bidding Tuan Rumah Piala Asia 2031". Bolasport (in Indonesian). 11 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  11. ↑ "Indonesia Ikut Bidding Jadi Tuan Rumah Tunggal Piala Asia 2031". Kumparan (in Indonesian). 11 December 2024. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  12. 1 2 Sandru Narayanan (14 April 2025). "AFC confirms Malaysia did not bid to host 2031 Asian Cup". Scoop.my. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
  13. ↑ "Kuwait submits bid to host 2031 AFC Asian Cup". Emirates News Agency. 30 December 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  14. ↑ "Race for 2031 Asian Cup heats up as South Korea express interest". Reuters.
  15. ↑ CAFA [@CAFAssocciation] (24 February 2025). "Historic bid! Tajikistan, Uzbekistan & Kyrgyz Republic unite to bring the AFC Asian Cup 2031™ to Central Asia for the first time!" (Tweet). Retrieved March 28, 2025– via Twitter.
  16. ↑ "Australia interested in 2031 Asian Cup, Central Asian nations launch joint bid". Reuters.
  17. ↑ "WINNER of the Historic CAFA NATIONS CUP 2023 is I.R. IRAN National team. — CENTRAL ASIAN FOOTBAL ASSOCIATION [CAFA]".
  18. ↑ "Uzbekistan to host CAFA Nations Cup 2025".
  19. ↑ Abdullahi, Thoraya (21 February 2025). "UAE submits bid to host 2031 Asian Cup". The National. UAE. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  20. ↑ Mohammed, Shamseer (27 November 2025). "UAE pulls out of the race to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup". Gulf News .
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