South Korea and Japan unite for 2035 AFC Asian Cup joint bid
South Korea and Japan are planning to team up for a joint bid to host the 2035 AFC Asian Cup. The Korea Football Association (KFA) has formally notified the country’s Sports Ministry about the proposal. Both nations previously worked together when co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
The AFC has set a deadline of December 31 for countries to submit their Expression of Interest for the 2035 tournament. Korea had already filed its interest for the 2031 edition in February. Meanwhile, the UAE withdrew its bid for the 2031 Asian Cup earlier this week.
Seven bids were initially submitted for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments, including Australia, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, and a joint proposal from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Korea and Japan have now discussed co-hosting and agreed on measures to reduce costs. All formal bidding documents, including government guarantees, must be handed in by June 30, 2026.
AFC officials will conduct inspection visits before selecting the hosts for both tournaments in 2027.
The decision to co-host the 2035 Asian Cup would mark the second time Korea and Japan have collaborated on a major football event. If successful, the bid would see the tournament return to East Asia after more than three decades. The AFC will announce the hosts for both 2031 and 2035 at the same time.
