February 1 – Saudi Arabia was confirmed as the host for the Asian Cup in 2027 at the 33rd AFC Congress in Qatar.
It will be the first time the Saudis will have hosted a competition they have won three times and been finalists in six times.
Having initially been shortlisted for the hosting with India, Saudi Arabia were left as sole bidders once the Indians pulled out.
With Saudi Arabia now hosting the 2027 Asian Cup, it will mean that three consecutive editions of the expanded championship will have been hosted in the AFC’s west zone: in the UAE in 2019, in Qatar in 2023 (to be played in January 2024), and Saudi Arabia in 2027.
Saudi Arabia launched their bid under the banner ‘Forward for Asia’ indicating the Kingdom’s ambition to use the tournament to take the next step forward for Asian football, by providing opportunities for a ‘New Experience, a New Exchange and a New Expansion’.
It was a theme picked up by Saudi sports minister Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud (pictured). “It is time for football in Asia to begin a new era…it is a transformational moment in our connected football story,” he said.
Outlining the support in the Kingdom for hosting – from the religious community to the government and Royal family – he said that the “Kingdom is changing before our eyes. We are full of excitement for what it will look like in 2027 and beyond.”
“We want all of Asia to reap all of the benefits of our hosting…We have the passion, the support and the facilities to drive the Asian Cup… we will have full stadia and record broadcast and commercial revenue.
“We will deliver the greatest tournament in the competition’s history.”
Saudi Arabia 2027 bid CEO Ibrahim Alkassim echoed his sports minister saying they build an enduring legacy beyond 2027. “We will take the Asian Cup to the next level. We will also work to develop women’s and youth football in the region.”
“We are ready to host and are ready to welcome you in Saudi Arabia; and we are ready to work with you in taking football forward in Asia,” he concluded.
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