Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan have emerged as joint contenders to host the AFC Asian Cup 2031, as the Asian Football Confederation has finalized the list of candidate bids.

The AFC has officially closed the application process for associations seeking to host the Asian Cup tournaments in 2031 and 2035, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.

The move followed an initiative by AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, who proposed selecting hosts for both editions at a single AFC Congress.

With the submission window now closed, the AFC is moving into the next phase-working closely with candidate associations to prepare full bidding dossiers in line with established regulations and deadlines.

According to the AFC, six bids remain in contention for the Asian Cup 2031, submitted by Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, and a joint bid from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. A bid from the United Arab Emirates was previously submitted but withdrawn in late November.

The host nation for the 2031 tournament is expected to be announced in 2026. Meanwhile, the Asian Cup 2027 will take place in Saudi Arabia.

For the Asian Cup 2035, the list of candidates includes Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Kuwait.

The AFC notes that interest in hosting the Asian Cup is at a record high, reflecting the tournament’s rapidly rising global profile. Following the most recent edition in Qatar, the competition set new benchmarks for stadium attendance and digital reach, drawing dozens of broadcasters and audiences across hundreds of countries.

According to the AFC, future hosts of the 2031 and 2035 tournaments will be expected not only to deliver top-tier organization, but also to leave a lasting legacy through improved infrastructure, growing public interest in football, and a stronger international image. Final decisions on both hosts are set to be submitted for approval at an upcoming AFC Congress.