​South Korean Media: Japanese and Korean Football Associations Plan Joint Bid for 2031 or 2035 AFC Asian Cup

November 27 – According to an exclusive report by South Korean media outlet *Kyunghyang Sports*, the Japan Football Association (JFA) and the Korea Football Association (KFA) are planning a joint bid to host the AFC Asian Cup.

The media outlet stated that the KFA recently approached the JFA regarding co-hosting the Asian Cup. A source from the KFA revealed that the JFA responded very positively to the joint bid proposal. If the JFA formally agrees, both associations, with support from their respective governments, will submit a joint bid to host the Asian Cup.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced earlier this year that it would simultaneously determine the hosts for both the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups. In recent years, major tournaments such as the Asian Cup, Olympics, and World Cup have been held consecutively in West Asia. If only one host were selected for the Asian Cup, there remains a possibility that financially strong West Asian nations could again secure the hosting rights. Conversely, by awarding two editions at once, the likelihood of one being hosted by a Northeast Asian country increases significantly. The AFC will accept official bid proposals – including detailed concepts, event plans, and government support – around mid-next year and finalize the hosts in 2027.

Recent editions of the Asian Cup have been concentrated in West Asia: Qatar in 2011, Australia in 2015, the UAE in 2019, and Qatar again in 2023. The 2027 edition will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, meaning the tournament will be held in West Asia for three consecutive cycles. Countries that have expressed interest in hosting the 2031 Asian Cup include South Korea, Australia, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, the UAE, and a joint bid from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The KFA judges that simultaneously expressing intent to bid for the 2035 Asian Cup is strategically advantageous. After confirming a positive response from the JFA, the KFA has already requested assistance from South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. A ministry official stated, "Intergovernmental discussions between the two countries are expected to begin soon."

Reportedly, the two football associations must express their intention to bid for the 2035 Asian Cup to the AFC by December 31 this year.

Source: Kyeonghyang