Latest news with #SalmanbinEbrahimAlKhalifa
Asharq Al-Awsat
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
AFC President Hails Saudi Organization of AFC U17 Asian Cup
President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and First Vice President of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa praised the Kingdom's remarkable success in hosting the AFC U17 Asian Cup, which concluded on Sunday in Taif after three weeks of competition among 16 Asian national teams, SPA reported. He stated that the Kingdom successfully provided the ideal environment to host the tournament and presented it in a way that befits the reputation and stature of Asian football, further proving the Kingdom's capability to host major sporting events to the highest organizational standards. He also praised the exceptional roles played by various official entities in the Kingdom in creating the factors for the tournament's success, expressing his gratitude to Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF).
Reuters
12-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Salman wants AFC to consider awarding 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups at same time
April 12 (Reuters) - Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa suggested that the votes for hosting the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups be held together after confirming a record seven nations had expressed interest in hosting the 2031 finals. Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and a joint bid from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan informed the regional body of a desire to host the tournament before last month's deadline. "I'm delighted to report that the bidding process for the AFC Asian Cup 2031 has received a record level of interest with seven bidders signalling their intent," Sheikh Salman told the AFC's annual congress in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. "This remarkable response underscores the bright future of Asian football, and I express my sincere gratitude to all the member associations who have submitted their interest." India has never hosted the tournament, which started in Hong Kong in 1956, while South Korea, one of the continent's strongest on-field performers, last organised the competition in 1960. None of the Central Asian nations, who gained AFC membership in 1994 following the break up of the Soviet Union, have hosted the finals. A date has yet to be set to decide the winning bid, and Sheikh Salman wants the confederation to consider also awarding the rights for the 2035 event at the same time. "I have requested that the AFC administration explore the possibility of presenting both the bids for 2031 and 2035 editions for the approval at the same congress when the time comes," he said. "This will provide the host member association a longer runway to ensure that we continue to elevate our standards." The 24-team Asian Cup is held every four years, with the next edition to be played in Saudi Arabia in 2027. Qatar hosted the most recent tournament in early 2024, six months later than originally scheduled, due to China's withdrawal as organisers.
South China Morning Post
11-04-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
India among 7 possible bids to host 2031 Asian Cup, official hails ‘greatest success story'
India was among seven possible bidders wanting to host the 2031 Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation said on Friday, as its top official hailed the highest expression of interest in the tournament's history. Advertisement The other federations registering interest were Australia, Indonesia, Kuwait, South Korea – which has never hosted the tournament launched in 1956 – United Arab Emirates and a joint project between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Officials said a decision on hosting the 24-team tournament was scheduled for next year at its annual congress. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC president, said the last event in Qatar had proved the cup was 'undoubtedly one of the greatest success stories' and cemented it as 'one of the best football competitions in the world'. 'The record number of bids that we have received is further testament to the stature and appeal of the AFC Asian Cup and on behalf of the AFC Executive Committee, I would like to put on record our sincere appreciation to all our member associations for outlining their ambition to extend and expand on our proud legacy,' he added. Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman celebrates the awarding of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia. Photo: AFP Australia hosted and won the Asian Cup in 2015. The UAE hosted in 2019, starting a run of three straight editions in the Gulf. Qatar hosted the most recent edition and Saudi Arabia has the 2027 Asian Cup, where Qatar will be the two-time defending champions.
