Govt throws weight behind AIFF’s bid to host Asian Cup 2031

Marcus Mergulhao / TNN / Apr 13, 2025, 00:34 IST

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Govt throws weight behind AIFF’s bid to host Asian Cup 2031

Kalyan Chaubey (left) met AFC President Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa during AFC Congress in Malaysia on Sat

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is confident of convincing the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) that the country deserves to host the Asian Cup in 2031, particularly since it enjoys the “strong support�?of the government of India.
India’s expression of interest for the AFC Asian Cup, the continent’s most prestigious tournament, did raise eyebrows after AIFF previously pulled out of the race, handing Saudi Arabia the 2027 tournament on a platter. This time around, it’s the government that has thrown its weight behind the bid.
“Given football’s immense popularity across the country, it is only natural that we are pursuing the opportunity to host the AFC Asian Cup,�?Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a statement on Saturday. “The government extends its strong support to the All India Football Federation’s bid to bring Asia’s biggest football event to India. Should we succeed, I am confident that football will get a big boost.�?br/>The bid to host the continental showpiece is just another addition to a long list of sporting events that India wants to host. On top of the list is the 2036 Olympics with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the forefront.

“Hosting major sporting events has a profound and lasting impact on a nation’s sports ecosystem and infrastructure. Sports can serve as a powerful testimony of India’s rising global stature. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading India’s visionary bid to host the 2036 Olympics. There is also growing momentum behind India’s aspiration to host the Commonwealth Games once again,�?said Mandaviya.
Besides India, six others have expressed interest in hosting the continental showpiece. It includes Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and a joint bid from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The interest is unprecedented, and marks a clear contrast to the race for 2027 when only India and Saudi Arabia were in the race.
“The 2027 tournament would have come too soon for us, so we didn’t push for it,�?Chaubey told TOI from Kuala Lumpur where he is attending the AFC Congress. “The AIFF is now happy to have the government’s strong support in our bid to host the tournament. The Asian Cup is the biggest football tournament in Asia and it is important for India as a nation to showcase what we have, not just to Asia but to the rest of the world.�?br/>The AFC will now work with the bidding countries on the delivery of the bidding documentation in accordance with the established timelines and processes, with a bidding workshop scheduled to be held later this month.
A decision on the hosts will be announced at the AFC Congress in 2026.

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