India has officially submitted its offer to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup, becoming one of eight countries vying for the prestigious football tournament. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) had earlier reaffirmed its Expression of Interest (EoI), facing tough competition from nations like Australia, South Korea, Indonesia, Kuwait, the UAE, and a joint bid by Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa linked the highest ever number of bids as proof of the prestige of the tournament. India's bid is a reflection of its intention to develop football infrastructure and international sports reputation. The host country will be decided in 2026 during the AFC Congress.
India has not hosted the Asian Cup previously but wants to make use of this opportunity to further local football development and global recognition.
Source: SCMP, Times of India, AP News