Saudi Arabia will host the 2027 Asian Cup after the All India Football Federation pulled out of the race, leaving the Middle Eastern kingdom as the only candidate to host the continental championship.
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The Saudis will be officially confirmed as 2027 hosts in February when the Asian Football Confederation meets in Bahrain.
It will be the first time the country has staged the continental competition and could also lead to a future World Cup bid.
"People forget that Saudi Arabia has hosted many international events including the 1989 World Youth Cup and three editions of the Confederations Cup," Hafez Al-Medlej, a former member of the Saudi Arabia Football Federation and the AFC, told domestic media.
"The 2027 Asian Cup will be one of the most successful Asian competitions given Saudi Arabia's ability to host sporting events and this will show that the country will be able to host the World Cup in the coming years."
Australian Associated Press