India has submitted its documents putting the bid of hosting the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, as confirmed by the top official of the national federation on Sunday. And it is also speculated that if India wins the bid, it will be the first time that the country will be hosting the continental showpiece event.
“We have already submitted our expression of interest to the AFC (Asian Football Confederation). That is what’s required as of now,” All India Football Federation General Secretary Kushal Das told PTI on Sunday.
Earlier, the AFC had announced the extension of the deadline to submit the countenance of interest by June 30 which was initially set to March 31 due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
“The AFC had hoped to announce the tournament hosts as soon as possible to give them more time to prepare for the quadrennial continental championship, which was expanded to 24 teams for the 2019 edition in the United Arab Emirates,” the AFC said.
The AFC will be announcing the hosts for the event early next year for which India has also submitted its bid. And other than India, Saudi Arabia has won the continental title three times but never got to host the tournament. Apart from India, Saudi Arabia has shown its interest in hosting the event along with putting their bid for the same.
Earlier, India had also shown interest in hosting the 2023 tournament but pulled out of the race in October 2018, leaving China, Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea. Later China was the only country to be left as the hosts as the other contenders also pulled out of that list. China will be hosting the 2023 World Cup across its 10 cities.
South Korea will be hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup is also likely to put their bid for men’s 2027 AFC Asian Cup. India also successfully staged the men’s U-17 World Cup in 2017 and also slated to host the U-17 women’s World Cup this year in November but postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. India has also got the hosting rights for 2022 Women’s AFC Asian Cup to be held in 2022.
