Kuwait Sets 2035 as Top Asian Cup Bid, 2031 as Back-Up, Says Football Chief

Two Hosting Options on the Table

The Kuwait Football Association president, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Yousuf, revealed that the nation has two paths to host the AFC Asian Cup: a bid for the 2035 edition or hosting the 2031 edition.

Why 2035 Is the First Choice

In televised remarks, he said, "We thank the UAE for withdrawing and backing Kuwait's bid for 2031, but that edition isn't our first choice; our goal is 2035 for several reasons."

He explained that staging the Asian Cup requires multiple prerequisites, most notably the construction of four new stadiums with a capacity of at least 42,000 spectators, which demands time and close coordination with the Kuwaiti government.

Context and Next Steps

He added, "When thinking about any global or regional tournament, rotation between East and West is considered; the last two editions were in the UAE (2019) and Qatar (2023), and the next is planned for Saudi Arabia in 2027."

The Kuwait FA leader noted lingering frustration among East Asian federations such as South Korea, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and China, and he does not expect the 2031 edition to be awarded to a West Asian country.

He concluded: "Ongoing talks with the government will lead to a final decision by consensus, and an official announcement will be made."

He also recalled that the UAE withdrew its bid to host 2031 in support of the Kuwait file, which faces bids from Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and a joint bid from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

Punchlines (sniper-style): Kuwait's plan is so precise that even their calendar has a backup plan. If 2035 stalls, 2031 remains ready for deployment.