February 20 – India have become the front runners to stage the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup following a recommendation by the continental governing body’s Women’s Football Committee.
India was one of three candidates to bid for the competition and the AFC Women’s Football Committee picked India, which will stage the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup in November, ahead of Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan. In 2018 the AFC Women’s Asian Cup was hosted in Jordan.
“This is the most important and prestigious competition in women’s football in Asia,” said committee chairman Mahfuza Akhter Kiron. “The last edition was a major step forward for the women’s game in Asia. It was played in Jordan, the first time a West Asian nation had hosted the event. Now we are looking to build on that legacy.”
The tournament format was also confirmed, with three groups of four. The Women’s Asian Cup will expand to 12 participants in 2022, up from eight.
“India offers the best opportunities to build the event commercially as well as increasing the value and India is also committed to developing the women’s game in the country and while all three were strong bids, India stands out,” said Kiron.
D Y Patil Stadium and Trans Stadia Arena have been proposed among the venues for the tournament. Those stadiums will also host matches at the U-17 Women’s World Cup later this year as India step up their hosting credentials. In 2017, the country staged the men’s version of the same competition. On the eve of the last FIFA Congress, AIFF president Praful Patel told Insideworldfootball that India might also consider a bid for the 2027 Men’s Asian Cup.
The AFC also highlighted that an expansion of the Women’s Champions League will be phased in, with six clubs in 2020, eight invitees by 2021, and 12 in 2023 en route to a 16-team competition open to all member associations in 2025.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714030745labto1714030745ofdlr1714030745owedi1714030745sni@t1714030745catno1714030745c1714030745
