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AL RAYYAN – Saudi Arabia is likely to host the 2027 Asian Cup after the only other candidate, India, withdrew its bid.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Monday that a formal decision on the host will come at its congress in February 2023, DPA reported.
According to the statement, India and Saudi Arabia had been shortlisted in October but that the AFC “has been officially notified by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of their decision to withdraw their bid”.
“Following the withdrawal of the AIFF bid, SAFF’s (Saudi Arabian Football Federation) bid to host the 19th edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2027 will now be the only one presented to the 33rd AFC Congress for consideration,” it said.
Saudi Arabia has never hosted the continental tournament its team has won three times. The team created a big upset at the current World Cup in neighbouring Qatar when it beat Argentina, but it did not advance from the group stage.
Saudi Arabia is reportedly also interested in hosting the 2030 World Cup, DPA added.
The next Asian Cup 2023 is in Qatar after the original host China withdrew, owing to strict coronavirus regulations. – Bernama, December 5, 2022