India Submits Official Bid to Host AFC Asian Cup 2031, Backed by Government Support

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India has officially entered the fray to host the AFC Asian Cup 2031, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) submitting its bid during the 35th AFC Congress held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 12, 2025.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) acknowledged the bid during its Annual General Body meeting, marking a significant milestone for Indian football.

The move has received strong backing from the Government of India. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya, voiced his support following the announcement. He said, "Hosting major sporting events has a profound and lasting impact on a nation's sports ecosystem and infrastructure. Sports can serve as a powerful testimony of India's rising global stature. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is leading India's visionary bid to host the 2036 Olympics. There is also growing momentum behind India's aspiration to host the Commonwealth Games once again."

Dr. Mandaviya further affirmed the government's commitment to the initiative, adding, "Given football's immense popularity across the country, it is only natural that we are pursuing the opportunity to host the AFC Asian Cup. The government extends its strong support to the All India Football Federation's bid to bring Asia's biggest football event to India. Should we succeed, I am confident that football will get a big boost."

Speaking from Kuala Lumpur, AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey welcomed the support and shared the federation's vision. "The AIFF is happy to have the government's strong support in our bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2031. The Asian Cup is the biggest football tournament in Asia and it is important for India as a nation to showcase what we have, not just to Asia but to the rest of the world. The 2027 tournament would have come too soon for us, so we didn't push for it. But with six years left to prepare for the 2031 Asian Cup, we have enough time on hand to measure up to the challenge of facing the best in Asia."

The AFC will now work with all Bidding Member Associations on the submission of required documentation. A Bidding Workshop is scheduled later this month to guide the next steps in the evaluation process.