Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan have submitted a joint bid to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup. Regarding this, Ravshan Irmatov, the First Vice-President of the Uzbekistan Football Association, answered questions from the football community.

— On the possibilities of hosting the AFC Asian Cup:

— The AFC Asian Cup is the most prestigious football tournament on our continent. Therefore, many countries apply for the hosting rights. Currently, the AFC is accepting bids. In the next stage, they will be reviewed and officially announced. The process of studying the opportunities will begin after that. The AFC’s special inspection will determine how well the bidding countries meet the requirements. The Asian Football Confederation supports the development of football across all regions of our continent. So far, the Asian Cup has been held in most regions between national teams. Central Asia has not yet hosted this tournament. We hope that the AFC will give our region the opportunity to host its biggest competition.

— What are the requirements for AFC Asian Cup hosts, and are these countries ready to meet them?

— Looking at recent years, Uzbekistan has hosted three major tournaments. When we submitted our bid to host the U-20 and U-23 Asian Championships, initially, the AFC was concerned about how ready we were. However, after fulfilling all the requirements on time and with quality, there were no doubts. Hotels, logistics, transport, and other aspects were aligned with international standards. I believe, organizationally, we have earned the AFC’s trust. We also have international-standard stadiums. However, we need larger stadiums. The most important matches of the Asian Cup require stadiums with a capacity of 40,000-50,000 spectators. We are reviewing several projects in this regard. Our neighbors are also ready to provide all the necessary facilities. For example, the construction of a 51,000-capacity stadium has begun in Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic. I am confident that if the tournament is awarded to us, Central Asia will host one of the brightest forums in its history.

— What are the positive aspects of hosting the Asian Cup for us?

— First and foremost, it would be a major celebration for football fans. Today, Asian football is developing rapidly. The best star players are coming to play in our continent, and Asians are making their way to the largest European clubs. All of them will participate in the Asian Cup and play unforgettable matches on our fields. Moreover, our national team will strive to perform even better on home soil. Relations with our neighboring brotherly countries will become even stronger. The development of modern football infrastructure will take place, and our specialists will gain international experience. The attention of the global football community will be focused not only on our football but also on the tourism potential, culture, and history of our countries. At the same time, we will have the opportunity to contribute to the development of our country through football. Like all sectors, football develops only through complex and wide-ranging actions. The impact of major projects will reach even the smallest football schools. Therefore, we will make every effort to bring a tournament like the AFC Asian Cup to our country.