Saudi Arabia to host AFC Asian Cup 2027

Saudi Arabia was declared the host of the 2027 Asian Cup by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Monday.

Qatar players lift the trophy after winning the AFC Asian Cup final match between Japan and Qatar. | Photo Credit: KAMRAN JEBREILI/AP

Saudi Arabia was declared the host of the 2027 Asian Cup by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) at the 33rd AFC Congress on Wednesday.

The AFC’s executive committee had earlier shortlisted bids from India and Saudi Arabia in October after Qatar pulled out of the process following their successful bid to host the 2023 edition in place of original hosts China.

Iran, Qatar and Uzbekistan were the other countries to have initially bid for the hosting rights.

But the Indian federation withdrew its bid in December, effectively sealing the tournament for the Saudis.

In his address to the Congress, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC President said: “Let me congratulate the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for being selected as the hosts for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.”

“This will be the first time the tournament will be staged in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and we look forward to working closely with the SAFF and the Saudi Arabian Government to deliver a memorable AFC Asian Cup for our fans and players in 2027.”

HRH Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and Chairman of the Saudi Olympic & Paralympic Committee, who led the presentation to the AFC Congress, said, “It is an honour to have been chosen as hosts for the AFC Asian Cup 2027™ and this is a historic and exciting moment for football in Saudi Arabia.”