AIFF announces candidature to host 2027 AFC Asian Cup

New Delhi, Dec 18: In a huge development, All India Football Federation (AIFF) formally announced its candidature to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and delivered a 'Brighter Future Together' for football in India and across Asia.

 

 

Unveiling its plans at the launch in the capital, AIFF showcased the unrivalled potential of hosting Asia's flagship football event in the world's fastest emerging football market, home to 1.3 billion people. "The bid promises to take Asian football to new heights by working in partnership with the AFC to unlock new commercial opportunities, drive growth and build on an ever-growing love for the sport among the country's youthful population," AIFF said in a statement.

 

Speaking about the development, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, said, "Hosting Asia's biggest football event, the AFC Asian Cup 2027 will be a huge milestone for Indian sports. Our nation is perfectly poised to host a mega sporting event of this magnitude. We have extensive experience over the last two decades of successfully planning, organising and staging some of the world’s biggest sporting events and are looking forward to hosting two more big events in 2022 - the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and AFC Women's Asian Cup. I assure you that all government support will be given in getting this tournament to India, and making it a memorable one for everyone involved."

 

Blue Tigers skipper Sunil Chhetri, who has represented the nation at two AFC Asian Cups in 2011 and 2019, stated that hosting the mega-event in India will be the 'best gift' for the supporters and having the top teams from the continent playing on Indian soil will be 'immense'. "There is no bigger honour and privilege than playing for your country and for our nation to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 would be even bigger. I think it will be the best gift for the fans and for everyone in the country," he said.

 

President of AIFF and FIFA Council Member, Praful Patel, said, "It has taken a lot of hard work to reach the level we are at today, where we can think of hosting international events year on year. The 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India left an indelible mark on our country and we're now working towards ensuring FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup go down as two of the most successful women's international football tournaments. We're continuously working on infrastructure upgradation and football development, and India would be honoured to be selected as the host for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. It is an unparalleled opportunity to take Asian football to new heights and create a Brighter Future Together, for India, for the AFC and for our whole continent."

 

With modern, world-class stadia, well-connected and welcoming host cities, full and unwavering government and state support, and a proven track record of delivering major international events, India would guarantee a safe pair of hands as tournament hosts. In addition to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 - the most attended FIFA youth tournament in history with a record 1.34 million spectators - India is also due to host the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in.