Official.. Saudi Arabia hosts the AFC Asian Cup 2027

2023-02-01
16:12:35

Today, Wednesday, the Asian Football Confederation’s General Assembly officially announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has won the bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 for the first time in its history, which has recently become a major destination for the largest sporting events in the world.

The 33rd General Assembly of the Asian Football Confederation, which was held in the Kingdom of Bahrain, in the presence of the heads of the continental federations, entrusted the task of organizing the finals of the nineteenth edition of the AFC Asian Cup to the Kingdom, which submitted, through the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, a request to host in February 2020, with a slogan that carries a new vision for the future of Asian football "Together for the future of Asia".

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sports and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, expressed his thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince - may God protect them - for the unlimited support that the Kingdom’s bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 received, congratulating the leadership and the country on this occasion.

His Highness added that the unlimited support of the wise leadership was the motive for us during two years of continuous effort in order to win the honor of hosting a continental sporting event, through which we look forward to organizing an exceptional global version; It will enrich the passion of football fans and allow them an enjoyable experience that shows the authentic heritage of the Kingdom's civilization and culture and its development in various fields.

Yasser Al Misehal, the President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, confirmed that the file to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 received unlimited guidance and support from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince, indicating that the Kingdom is looking forward to hosting a distinguished tournament, as the stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam will host the finals of the largest continental football event in eight main stadiums, including three new stadiums “Riyadh Stadium, Qiddiya Stadium, Dammam Stadium”, and four stadiums that will be rebuilt and developed in a different way “King Fahd Stadium, Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium, Prince Muhammad Bin Fahd Stadium, and Prince Saud Bin Jalawi City", and three stadiums that will have some additional equipment, "King Abdullah Sports City, Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, King Saud University Stadium".

Al Misehal indicated that the Kingdom's integrated file succeeded in gaining the confidence of the Asian Football Confederation, including the most important advantages and factors that qualify for the success of the championship, and giving it a unique character, as eight stadiums witness the championship matches, indicating that the Kingdom is looking forward to making a leap move in the championship that was launched in 1956, and to hold an exceptional championship at all levels and standards.

The President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation continued that hosting the AFC Asian Cup constitutes an opportunity to highlight football excellence and the Saudis' passion for football, in addition to highlighting the culture, arts, and tourist, natural and cultural treasures that are embraced by all regions of the Kingdom.

The General Assembly had witnessed a presentation of the file submitted by the Kingdom to host AFC Asian Cup 2027, which was initiated by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal by welcoming the Asians and emphasizing their full readiness to present a distinguished version of the AFC Asian Cup, after that the contents of the file were reviewed by the CEO of the Saudi 2027 file, Mr. Ibrahim Al Kassim and the former Saudi national team player, Muhammad Abdul-Jawad.

The Saudi offer was praised by the member federations and the Executive Office of the Asian Football Confederation, as the Saudi 2027 file promises an exceptional experience in the AFC Asian Cup and the presentation of a version that is the best in the history of the tournament, translating the slogan of the file “Together for the future of Asia” into the ground Indeed, through several initiatives and experiences that will be implemented before, during and after the tournament, it will contribute to the growth and progress of football in Asia.