Emirates Withdraws Hosting Bid for Asian Cup 2031
27 November 2025
UAE withdraws 2031 Asian Cup bid
The United Arab Emirates Football Association announced on X that it has withdrawn its bid to stage the AFC Asian Cup 2031, leaving six bids in contention for the continent's flagship tournament.
The AFC Asia Cup bid process began when the federation invited national associations to express interest on November 27, 2025; the deadline for formal submissions was set for March 31, 2025. By then, responses had arrived from Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, and the UAE.
In addition, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan lodged a joint candidacy for a shared hosting plan in 2031. Meanwhile, the 2027 edition is scheduled to be hosted by Saudi Arabia, continuing the tournament's expansion to 24 teams since the 2019 UAE-hosted edition.
Bid timeline and participants
The 2031 edition will mark the 20th AFC Asian Cup and carries the 75th anniversary of the competition since its 1956 beginnings. The UAE has hosted twice before, in 1996 and 2019, with successful events that showcased its infrastructure and organizational capabilities.
Historically, the UAE's venues and event-management prowess have impressed global audiences, and the nation has previously staged the FIFA Club World Cup and youth World Cups. The AFC will now review the host-file submissions and prepare for a general assembly vote in 2026 to select the 2031 host with 24 participating teams.
Past hosts and UAE's track record
From 1956 in Hong Kong to modern editions in multiple cities, the AFC Asian Cup's history has been shaped by evolving formats and expanding participation. The 1996-2023 arc saw the expansion from 16 to 24 teams, reflecting the growing strength and diversity of Asian football. If the UAE returns with a bid in the future, the landscape will shift again—but for now the focus is on the 2031 host being decided in 2026.
Nevertheless, the UAE has a storied hosting resume: the country staged the FIFA Club World Cup four times and hosted youth World Cups in 2003 and 2013, among other major events. The 1996 edition expanded to 16 teams, and the 2019 edition continued a tradition of strong organization that helped catapult the country's status on the world stage.
And yes, if trophies could talk, they'd demand frequent-flyer miles—bidding wars come with long layovers. If the bid were a stand-up routine, the trophy would be the punchline, always arriving fashionably late with a passport full of stamps.
