The UAE Football Association has submitted an official bid to host the 2031 Asian Cup.
The AFC, Asian football's governing body, had asked federations to declare their intentions, and the UAE FA confirmed via social media they have submitted a proposal.
In a statement posted on X and Instagram on Thursday night, President of the UAE Football Association, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, said the UAE “is capable of hosting major international and continental sporting events due to the strength of its infrastructure and the availability of all the reasons for success.”
The UAE has twice before hosted Asia's premier international football competition – in 1996 and 2019. It was most recently staged and won by Qatar, while the next edition of the tournament will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in 2027.
As well as the 2019 Asian Cup, the UAE has hosted several other major football events, such as the Fifa U20 and U17 World Cups and the Fifa Club World Cup.
“Every tournament hosted in the UAE becomes exceptional, with great attendance that lingers in memories. We are confident that we can provide a chapter of Asia 2031 that is remarkable in every aspect of detail,” added Sheikh Hamdan.
Kuwait was the first Gulf nation to express an interest in hosting the competition, with Sheikh Ahmed Al Yousef, President of the Kuwait Football Association, confirming their intention to bid earlier this year.
Kuwait successfully hosted the 2025 Gulf Cup in January, with Bahrain beating Oman 2-1 in the final at Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium.
South Korea and Indonesia have also expressed their desire to host the 2031 tournament.
The UAE's best performance in the Asian Cup came in 1996 when they lost the final on penalties to Saudi Arabia at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
Their best result on foreign soil came in 2015 when Mahdi Ali's team, including Omar Abdulrahman, Ali Mabkhout and Ahmed Khalil, came third in Australia. Mabkhout won the tournament's golden boot with five goals.
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Qatar's players celebrate on the podium after their 3-1 victory against Jordan in the AFC Asian Cup final at Lusail Stadium. EPA -
Qatar's players celebrate with the 2023 AFC Asian Cup trophy. AFP -
Qatar's team lift the trophy after winning the AFC Asian Cup final against Jordan. AP -
Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stands by as his team's forward Hassan Al Haydos receives the 2023 AFC Asian Cup trophy. AFP -
Qatar forward Akram Afif celebrates with the Most Valuable Player Award trophy. AFP -
Khaled Mohammed and Ahmed Al Ganehi of Qatar lift the AFC Asian Cup trophy. Getty Images -
Qatar players celebrate at full-time. AP -
Qatar's Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his hat-trick. AP -
Qatar's Akram Afif celebrates after scoring his third goal. AP -
Akram Afif of Qatar is fouled by Jordan keeper Yazeed Abulaila to concede a penalty that led to the third goal for the striker. Getty Images -
Qatar's Akram Afif, second left, celebrates after scoring his side's third goal. AP -
Qatar's Akram Afif celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates. Reuters -
Jordan's Salem Al Ajalin is consoled after the match. Reuters -
Yazan Al Naimat of Jordan celebrates scoring his side's first goal. Getty Images -
Yazan Al Naimat shoots to score his team's first goal. AFP -
Jordan's Yazan Al Naimat scores his team's opener. AFP -
Yazan Al Naimat of Jordan celebrates scoring their equaliser to make it 1-1. Getty Images -
Akram Afif of Qatar celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal. Getty Images -
Qatar's Akram Afif, left, celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal with teammates. AP -
Akram Afif of Qatar scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot. Getty Images -
Qatar's Akram Afif scores his side's opening goal with a penalty. AP
