Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan submit joint bid for 2031 AFC Asian Cup

Uzbekistan, along with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, has announced its intention to jointly host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup, the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) said in a statement.

According to the report, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has begun reviewing bids for hosting the continent’s most prestigious football competition in 2031. The football associations of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan have expressed confidence in their ability to successfully organize the tournament at a high level and have put forward a joint candidacy.

“Uzbekistan, along with its neighboring countries, is fully prepared to host this prestigious tournament. Stadiums in Tashkent, Namangan, Fergana, and Karshi have been upgraded to meet international standards. Additionally, hosting the AFC U-20 and U-23 tournaments, as well as the FIFA Futsal World Cup in recent years, has provided invaluable experience. Central Asia is once again ready to showcase its hospitality, professionalism, passion for football, and, of course, the enthusiasm of its devoted fans to the entire continent,” the statement reads.

As of February 24, separate bids to host the 2031 Asian Cup have also been submitted by the UAE, Indonesia, and Kuwait.

The 2031 AFC Asian Cup will mark the 20th edition of the tournament, featuring 24 national teams. Organized by the AFC since 1956, the competition is held every four years. The 2023 edition took place in Qatar, while Saudi Arabia is set to host the tournament in 2027.

To date, Uzbekistan has never hosted Asia’s premier football tournament.