Kuwait Submits Bid to Host AFC Asian Cup 2035
Kuwait makes a bold play to bring Asia’s premier football tournament to the Gulf by bidding to host the AFC Asian Cup 2035.
- Publish date: since 14 hour Reading time: 3 min reads
The Kuwait Football Association (KFA) has officially entered the race to host the AFC Asian Cup 2035, signalling an ambitious bid to bring Asia’s premier men’s football championship to the Gulf nation. The announcement was made by Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, President of the KFA, underscoring Kuwait’s growing role in continental football development and its sporting aspirations on the global stage.
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah confirmed that Kuwait has formally submitted its bid to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to host the 21st edition of the AFC Asian Cup in 2035. If successful, Kuwait would welcome football fans from across Asia for the quadrennial tournament that features 24 national teams competing for the continental crown.
This move builds on Kuwait’s recent investments in sports infrastructure, international hosting experience, including staging regional competitions such as the Arabian Gulf Cup, and ongoing efforts to elevate its football profile. The bid reflects confidence in the nation’s capacity to meet the AFC’s requirements, including stadium standards, accommodation and transport logistics.
Kuwait is competing with other established football nations for the right to host the 2035 tournament. Australia, Japan and South Korea have all formally submitted bids or expressions of interest to stage the Asian Cup in 2035. These countries bring strong football traditions and substantial infrastructure, promising robust competition for Kuwait.
The AFC is considering approving hosts for both the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups at a single Annual AFC Congress, a strategic shift proposed by AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, with final decisions expected in 2027 after evaluations, inspections and detailed bidding submissions.
The Asian Cup is one of Asia’s most prestigious football events, drawing global attention and generating significant economic impact through tourism, media rights and infrastructure development. Hosting the tournament would place Kuwait at the centre of Asian football, boost local sporting culture and contribute to broader national goals of promoting sport and tourism.
Kuwait previously hosted the AFC Asian Cup in 1980, offering historical precedence as well as renewed enthusiasm among fans and sporting bodies for another opportunity to bring the continental spectacle home.
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After the bid submission, the AFC will engage with all bidding member associations to ensure compliance with bid requirements, organize inspection visits and review infrastructure proposals. The AFC’s final announcement of the host nation or nations for 2031 and 2035 is expected at the 2027 AFC Congress, following rigorous evaluation and voting by member associations.
For Kuwait and its supporters, the campaign to host the AFC Asian Cup 2035 represents not just a bid for a tournament, but a chance to showcase the country’s passion for football and its readiness to stage one of Asia’s biggest sporting spectacles.