2027 AFC Asian Cup bids

The bidding process for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup was the process by which the location for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup was chosen as the hosts. Saudi Arabia was selected as the host country.

Bidding process

On 3 December 2019, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) brought forward the award of hosts for its 2027 Asian Cup, opening up a bid process for the confederation's flagship tournament that began in early 2020 with the hosts expected to be chosen later in 2022.

Increased to a 24-team tournament, the first expanded edition was held in the United Arab Emirates in January 2019 and marked a big step forward for the event, both in terms of media, participation and organisational requirements.

In 2023, Qatar will host, with the 2027 tournament remaining in West Asia with Saudi Arabia being the only potential bidder.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa emphasised that future AFC Asian Cups should be given more preparation time, with the 2027 hosts being appointed as soon as possible.

On 2 April 2020, the confederation decided to extend the deadline for member associations to submit their "Expression of Interest" for hosting the 2027 AFC Asian Cup from 31 March to 30 June. ^[1]

The decision was taken in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic to allow member associations, many of which were affected by the global outbreak, sufficient time to meet their internal processes and timelines.

At its meeting in Hong Kong in December 2019, the AFC Executive Committee agreed to provide future hosts for the Asian Cup, beginning with the 2027 edition, with more preparation time as part of the AFC's continued commitment towards upgrading its competitions and enhancing Asia's premier football tournament.

On 1 July 2020, AFC confirmed that initially five member associations expressed their interest to host 2027 Asian Cup. ^[2] Four remained by 16 December after Uzbekistan's withdrawal. ^[3]

In July 2021, the AFC Executive Committee announced that the host of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup would be chosen in 2022 instead of the upcoming 31st AFC Congress on 27 November. The reasons cited for the postponement were "prevailing challenges" caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[4]

On 17 October 2022, the AFC Executive Committee announced that the host of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup would be chosen by the AFC Congress at its next meeting on 1 February 2023 in Manama, Bahrain. At the Congress, Saudi Arabia was confirmed to be the host. ^{[5] [6]}

Confirmed bid

Saudi Arabia

Dammam

Jeddah

Riyadh

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Stadia map – Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia made known its intent to host the competition on 6 February 2020. As this was successful, this would be the first time the Asian Cup is to be hosted by Saudi Arabia. ^{[6] [7]}

The slogan "Forward for Asia" was revealed as the official logo of the 2027 Asian Cup later in September, before Saudi Arabia won the bid. ^[8]

The following are the host cities and venues selected for Saudi Arabia's bid: ^[9]

• Dammam – Dammam Stadium, capacity 40,000 (new)
• Jeddah – King Abdullah Sports City, capacity 65,000
• Jeddah – Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, capacity 27,000 (after expansion)
• Riyadh – King Fahd International Stadium, capacity 80,000 (after expansion)
• Riyadh – King Saud University Stadium, capacity 25,000
• Riyadh – Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, capacity 44,500 (after expansion)
• Riyadh – Riyadh New Stadium, capacity 40,000 (new)
• Riyadh – Qiddiya Stadium, capacity 40,000 (new)

Cancelled bids

India

On 5 June 2019, the All India Football Federation President, Praful Patel, expressed India's interest to join the bid for the 2027 Asian Cup. ^[10] On 5 April 2020, India submitted its bid documents for hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, a top official of the national federation confirmed. ^{[11] [12] [13]} On 16 December, the AIFF officially announced its candidature to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027. The slogan "Brighter Future Together" was revealed as the official logo of the 2027 Asian Cup in December. ^[14] If selected, it would have marked the first time India hosted the tournament. However, with the country suspended by FIFA on 16 August 2022 due to political interference, its bid for 2027 was initially held in limbo. India was reinstated as the potential host of the tournament after the ban was lifted by FIFA on 26 August. ^[15] Later, on 5 December, the AIFF Executive Committee decided to withdraw its bid to host the AFC Asian Cup. ^[16]

The following were the host cities and venues selected for India's bid: ^[17]

• Ahmedabad – EKA Arena, capacity 20,000
• Bhubaneswar – Kalinga Stadium, capacity 20,000
• Guwahati – Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, capacity 25,000
• Goa – Fatorda Stadium, capacity 20,000
• Hyderabad – G.M.C. Balayogi Athletic Stadium, capacity 30,000
• Kolkata – Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, capacity 85,000
• Kochi – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, capacity 70,500
• Navi Mumbai – DY Patil Stadium, capacity 55,000
• Panvel – Kharghar Stadium, capacity 40,000 (new)
• New Delhi – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, capacity 60,254
• Thiruvananthapuram – Greenfield International Stadium, capacity 55,000
• Pune – Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, capacity 11,900

Iran

On 29 April 2020, Iran declared interests to host the competition, with Iran hosting it twice in 1968 and 1976. If chosen, it would have been the third time for Iran to host. ^[18] Unlike the three other bidders, Iran did not reveal a slogan for the competition. Iran officially withdrew their bid on 13 October 2022. ^[5]

The following were the host cities and venues selected for Iran's bid: ^[19]

• Ahvaz – Foolad Arena, capacity 30,655
• Ahvaz – Ghadir Stadium, capacity 38,900
• Isfahan – Fooladshahr Stadium, capacity 20,000
• Isfahan – Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium, capacity 75,000
• Karaj – Enghelab Karaj Stadium, capacity 15,000
• Kerman – Shahid Bahonar Stadium, capacity 15,403
• Kerman – Shohadaye Mes Kerman Stadium, capacity 30,000
• Kish – Kish Olympic Stadium, capacity 8,000
• Mashhad – Imam Reza Stadium, capacity 27,700
• Mashhad – Samen Stadium, capacity 35,000
• Shiraz – Pars Stadium, capacity 50,000
• Tabriz – Yadegar-e Emam Stadium, capacity 66,833
• Tehran – Azadi Stadium, capacity 78,116
• Tehran – Takhti Stadium, capacity 30,122

Qatar

On 28 April 2020, Qatar announced its interests to host the Asian Cup. ^[20] In October and December, the Qatari association submitted its hosting requirements to the AFC. ^{[21] [22]} The country hosted the Asian Cup twice in 1988 and 2011. However, they also bid to host the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and would have been ineligible to host consecutive Asian Cup tournaments. Qatar officially withdrew their 2027 bid following their successful one for 2023. ^[5]

The slogan "Celebrating Asia" was revealed as the official logo of the 2027 Asian Cup in the 2020 Emir of Qatar Cup Final, which was held in Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.

The following were the host cities and venues selected for Qatar's bid: ^[23]

• Al Khor – Al Bayt Stadium, capacity 66,036
• Al Rayyan – Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, capacity 41,143
• Al Rayyan – Education City Stadium, capacity 41,455
• Al Wakrah – Al Janoub Stadium, capacity 40,336
• Doha – Khalifa International Stadium, capacity 40,696
• Doha – Al Thumama Stadium, capacity 40,125
• Doha – Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, capacity 41,860
• Doha – Thani bin Jassim Stadium, capacity 21,175
• Doha – Qatar University Stadium, capacity 20,600
• Lusail – Lusail Iconic Stadium, capacity 86,239

Uzbekistan

On 16 September 2019, the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev received in Tashkent the president of the AFC Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa. The meeting discussed the interaction between Uzbekistan and the AFC in popularizing football, supporting youth and women's football, and also raised the issue of holding international competitions in Uzbekistan. In addition, in connection with the arrival of Sheikh Salman in Tashkent, the media in Uzbekistan reported that Uzbekistan was initially one of the main contenders for the hosting of the Asian Cup in 2027. ^{[24] [25]} On 16 December 2020, the Uzbekistan Football Association notified the AFC that it quit its bid to host the Asian Cup. ^[3] It would have been the first time for Uzbekistan to host the competition.

Previously interested in bidding

Iraq and Jordan

The two nations expressed interests in bidding together for the competition in December 2019, and there were plans to materialise this. ^[26] However, the countries' member associations were not among those that expressed their interest by the 30 June 2020 deadline. ^[2]

References

1. "Host invitation for 2027 AFC Asian Cup extended". inside the games. Dunsar Media Company Limited. 2 April 2020.
2. "Five Member Associations express interest to host 2027 AFC Asian Cup". aseanfootball.org. ASEAN Football Federation. 2 July 2020.
3. "Uzbekistan quits the race to host 2027 Asian Cup". kun.uz. 16 December 2020.
4. "COVID-19 effect: Selection for 2027 AFC Asian Cup host postponed to 2022". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
5. "Qatar to host AFC Asian Cup 2023; India and Saudi Arabia shortlisted for 2027 edition". Asian Football Confederation. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
6. "Saudi Arabia confirmed as hosts of the AFC Asian Cup 2027". Asian Football Confederation. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
7. "Saudi Arabia bids for 2027 AFC Asian Cup". Inside the Games. 6 February 2020.
8. "Saudi Arabia raises the bar with launch of bid for 2027 AFC Asian Cup". Inside World Football. 10 September 2020.
9. "04 Stadiums". AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bid Book (PDF). Saudi Arabian Football Federation. 28 December 2020. p. 38.
10. "Patel says India has ambition to stage 2027 Asian Cup". Inside World Football. 5 June 2019.
11. "We have submitted our expression of interest: AIFF on India's bid to host AFC Asian Cup 2027". India Today. Press Trust of India. 5 April 2020.
12. "Afc एशियाई कप की मेजबानी के लिए भारत ने पेश किया आधिकारिक दावा" [India presents official claim to host AFC Asian Cup]. Amajurala (in Hindi). 5 April 2020.
13. "India officially submits bid to host AFC Asian Cup in 2027". The Times of India. PTI. 5 April 2020.
14. "AIFF announces candidature to host 2027 AFC Asian Cup". The Times of India. ANI. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
15. "FIFA lifts suspension of All India Football Federation". FIFA. 26 August 2022.
16. "AIFF Statement". AIFF. 5 December 2022.
17. "Chapter 4: Stadiums". AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bid Book India (PDF). All India Football Federation. 28 December 2020. p. 90.
18. "Iran submits bid to host 2027 AFC Asian Cup" . SportBusiness. 29 April 2020.
19. "Chapter 4: Stadiums". AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bid Book: Islamic Republic of Iran (PDF). IR Iran Football Federation. 28 December 2020. p. 68.
20. "Qatar preparing 2027 AFC Asian Cup bid against Saudi Arabia". inside the games. 28 April 2020.
21. "2027 AFC Asian Cup bid: QFA submits legal requirements file". Gulf Times. 29 October 2020.
22. "Qatar Football Association submits third part of bid to host Asian Cup 2027". Goal. 4 December 2020.
23. "04: Stadiums". Bidding Nation Qatar [AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bid Book] (PDF). Qatar Football Association. 28 December 2020. p. 55.
24. "Узбекистан впервые примет чемпионат Азии по футболу U-19" [Uzbekistan to host U-19 Asian Football Championship for the first time] (in Russian). Fergana Information Agency. 18 September 2019.
25. "2027 йилги Осиё Кубоги Ўзбекистонда бўлиши мумкин" [The 2027 Asian Cup could be held in Uzbekistan]. Championat Asia (in Tajik). 16 September 2019.
26. "Jordan, Iraq to submit joint bid to host AFC Asian cup in 2027". The Peninsula. QNA. 30 December 2019.