A long, long way away, but the ball has got rolling with Bahrian confirming today that they will bid to host the 2019 edition after a successful hosting of the 2013 Gulf Nations Cup. The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) announced yesterday that it has officially submitted its initial application to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the right to stage the prestigious continental tournament. BFA president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said that the recent success of the 21st Gulf Cup in the kingdom gave the BFA added conviction in applying to hold the Asian competition. Bahrain has organised many international sporting events in the past, but none have been as big as the 16-nation Asian Cup. BFA technical director and competitions committee head Hassan Ismail told the GDN last night that a committee of experts has already been set up to handle the remainder of the bidding process. "It is still a long road to when the hosts will be announced and there will be a lot of work for us to do until then, but so far we are happy with the initial bid we have submitted to the AFC," Ismail said. "We have received many messages of support from the rest of the Asian football family regarding our bid. Hopefully, we will win the right to host this very big event." The 2019 AFC Asian Cup will be the 17th edition of the continental showcase. It is expected that the winning bid will be announced during the next Asian Cup in 2015, to be held in Australia. Other countries that are reportedly interested in hosting the 2019 tournament are Oman, Iran, Uzbekistan and joint-bidders Saudi Arabia and the UAE, although these have yet to be confirmed. http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=345986 Should be an interesting bidding war to come.
When ex-AFC president Bin Hammam was in Uzbekistan, our officials discussed with him the possibility of Uzbekistan hosting the AFC CUP 2019. So, I think we will fight for this battle too.
Druryfire, you beat me to it! I was thinking of starting this thread, but sadly I was conquered by my laziness. There's a Wikipedia page for this, by the way: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_AFC_Asian_Cup_bids I think it's silly that Bahrain wants to host the tournament. I also don't understand why the UAE decided to make a joint bid with Saudi Arabia. Personally, I think it's time for the Asian Cup to reach the Central Asian market. I think the Uzbeks should be given the chance to boost their country's profile. I'd also love to see Iran hosting the tournament at some stage, but I believe it should go to Uzbekistan first, since they never hosted the Asian Cup before. But I'd really love it if the 2023 AFC Asian Cup goes to Iran. I'm disappointed to hear that the Indian bid was rejected by the AFC. India is another country that should host the tournament someday. In my opinion, the following four countries should host the Asian Cup at some point between 2019 and 2031: 1. India 2. Iran 3. The Philippines 4. Uzbekistan
Bahrain is too small and Iran have already hosted it more than once so neither should get it IMO. Oman might struggle infrastructure-wise, India I'm not sure of the local interest. Uzbekistan is a good choice although obviously I'd back the KSA-UAE bid. Saudi really should host it on it's own, but if it helps to co-host with UAE so be it. We're the only major Asian football nation never to host it, have got good fan support and stadia (the new stadium being built in Jeddah would be a great venue for the final).
In India there are places where there is huge interest for the game,as for infrastructure we are going have some good stadiums by 2017.Its upto AIFF and India Govt to bid in 2019.
Bahrain to have a new stadium http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=346174 Looks, like Bahrain are starting to push things. But I can't see how the Asian Cup could work their after Qatar in West Asia. If Bahrain were to host, then the last two West Asian hosted cups would have been in the very smallest of places. As for Saudi and UAE, can't see why they would need to co-host. India, I feel have their eyes else where with FIFA events. Iran and Uzbekistan could host without any questions - I do at this moment prefer these as the options, and Oman, well they are pushing things in the domestic league, but it's an Asian Cup too soon for me as they might be pushing things now, but in 3 or 4 years time it will tell if they are still pushing or pushed themselves other the edge.
Glad to hear that games currently supposed to be played in Mumbai aren't - can't believe one revamped stadium means teams must leave the city due to no other ground being available, and down in Goa, the same for more stadium revamps.
meh.. Jeddah has the largest football only stadium in the region under construction right now: video: project details: http://www.arupassociates.com/en/projects/king-abdullah-sports-city/ construction webcam: http://www.earthcam.com/clients/almuhaidib/?cam=mpr1 Pace of construction is ridiculous. They've doubled the number of construction workers so that they can keep building 24/7. Completion is being brought forward to March 2014 (some say end of 2013!)
http://sports.qq.com/a/20121115/000335.htm Chinese FA is discussing the probablity to bid for 2017 Youth World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup
It's only for one season though and also for a good cause. Look at what the Lusphony Games (spelling) has done for places like Portugal or Macau. So if it can do the same for the Fatorda Stadium in Goa then it will be 100% worth the changes. As for the other stadium movements. I think the Kolkata clubs are more than happy about moving to Kalyani. Smaller stadium means better atmosphere.
UAE, Lebanon, Iran and Oman appear to have entered the race to host. Lebanon - http://www.insideworldfootball.com/news/1-latest-news/11897-lebanon-to-bid-for-2019-asian-cup Iran - http://www.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=13911008000022 Oman - http://www.muscatdaily.com/Archive/Sports/Oman-bids-to-host-2019-Asian-Cup-20p6 UAE - http://gulfnews.com/sport/football/uae-applies-to-host-the-2019-asian-cup-finals-1.1140947 Some of these news reports appear to also suggest that Thailand will look to host along with Saudi Arabia. Expressions of interest from China don't seem to be picked up in any news source. Uzbekistan don't appear to be making any waves since annoucning back in 2010 their intentions to bid. http://livedraw.the-afc.com/en/news-centre/inside-afc/675-afc-president/31301-pres-meets-uzb-pres
out of these countries honestly i wouldn't give it to anyone cause of the lack of infrastructure or islamic law that makes women wear those clothes to cover the body, no alcohol, and restriction on womens rights.( Its just too uncomfortable for foreigners). if i were to have a choice i would only chose from korea, japan, australia, and china. but UAE would be the best option in terms of infrastructure, in terms for making leniency for the guests
Your concerns may be valid in the case of KSA and Iran, but not for UAE or Oman who are very welcoming for tourists.
yea but in the uae there is still a hidden dress code. people will give women dirty looks or bad comments if their outfits are too revealing. iam not sure about oman but i can imagine its the same,
Just like with the World Cup in 2022, I am sure there will be "special" leniency for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup if it is held in the UAE.
sigh i really dont want to talk about this. first of all qatar should not have the right to host it because they never had qualified themselves. which is not fair. and it will be dangerously hot. unless it is moved to winter which will mess with club schedule or if qatar spend hundreds of millions of dollars to build in state of the art AC system for 8 stadiums which they will probably only use for that tournament.
Ya, I agree. Qatar is just a messed up place to host it in but hey... money. I would have rather seen Australia host it but what will you do? As for the Asian Cup. I would have hoped that maybe South Korea would have wanted to host again. Its been over 50 years!
Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Oman, Bahrain should all co-host it together. The winners of Asia cup 2015, runners-up and third place team get automatic entry. Winners of 2016 and 2018 AFC Challenge cup also gets automatic entry. The remaining 3 berths to be battled out in one qualifying group.
thats too many teams to be co hosting. only 3 spots left is a little harsh. that maximum amount should be 2 teams as hosts.
Dude, what planet are you living on? Can I become a citizen? It seems like such a peaceful place. The so called Islamic solidarity Games were cancelled because Iran and Saudi Arabia couldn't agree on what design went on the medals!!! Saudi Arabia is selling the whole country to USA out of a 3000 year old fear of the "ajamis" and you're proposing we co-host the Asian Cup? lol Let's sign a peace treaty first than think about such things.