Kolkata: India has submitted its expression of interest to host the AFC Asian Cup in 2027, All India Football Federation (AIFF) general secretary Kushal Das said.
“We have submitted the expression of interest to AFC (Asian Football Confederation),” Das told IANS.
It will be the first time India will host the continental event if the interest sees the light of the day.
The AFC had extended the deadline to lodge expression of interest by three months from March 31 to June 30 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Saudi Arabia is the other nation which has publicly expressed its interest to launch a bid for 2027 Asian Cup.India have also been awarded hosting rights for the 2022 Women’s AFC Asian Cup in 2022.
Previously, India have hosted the Men’s U-17 World Cup and were slated to host the Women’s U-17 World Cup in November. But it got postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The AFC Asian Cup is an international association football tournament run by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
It is the second oldest continental football championship in the world after Copa América. The winning team becomes the champion of Asia and until 2015 qualified for the FIFA Confederations Cup.
After 2004, the tournament was next held in 2007 when it was co-hosted by four nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Thereafter, it has been held every four years. (IANS)
