The Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup trophy is presented on the pitch before the start of the final football match between Jordan and Qatar at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, north of Doha, Qatar on Feb. 10, 2024. (AFP/Giuseppe Cacace)
S
outh Korea has joined Australia in wanting to host the 2031 Asian Cup, the Korea Football Association said Friday, more than 70 years since the country last staged the continent's showpiece tournament.
The KFA said it submitted an expression of interest to the Asian Football Confederation to stage the tournament as sole hosts ahead of Friday's deadline.
The AFC has also received interest from Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Indonesia and a joint bid from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, reports say.
South Korea last hosted the Asian Cup in 1960, which was the last time the country lifted the trophy.
Under German World Cup winner Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea reached the semi-finals of the most recent Asian Cup in Qatar last year, where they were beaten 2-0 by Jordan.
South Korea co-hosted the World Cup with Japan in 2002 and became the first Asian country ever to reach the semi-finals.
The next Asian Cup will be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027.
