Uzbekistan and Australia have emerged as the recommended hosts for the 2026 and 2029 editions of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup respectively. The decision, made by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), was announced following a meeting held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA), having previously showcased its organizational prowess by hosting AFC youth events, stood as the sole bidder for the 2029 edition. This bid marks a historic moment as Uzbekistan is poised to become the first Central Asian nation to host the prestigious event.
Chairperson of the AFC Women’s Football Committee, Kanya Keomany, expressed optimism about the future of women’s football in the region.
"In 2029, we have the opportunity to further realize our ambitions to grow and expand the reach of the women's game all across the continent," Kanya Keomany shared.
The AFC Women’s Football Committee, convening on the eve of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024 Final, acknowledged the strong candidacy of both Australia and Uzbekistan. Commending Football Australia’s ability to promote the women’s game, Chairperson Keomany highlighted Australia's successful co-hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, emphasizing its potential to elevate the AFC Women’s Asian Cup to new heights.
Uzbekistan’s successful track record in hosting AFC competitions played a pivotal role in securing the 2029 hosting rights. The nation has previously organized events such as the AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 and the ongoing AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024, underscoring its readiness to host major football tournaments.
Meanwhile, Australia’s selection comes at a pivotal moment, as the nation prepares to host the event for only the second time in history. The decision follows the withdrawal of other contenders, including Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and eventually Uzbekistan, which shifted its focus to the 2029 bid.
The decision to award hosting rights to Uzbekistan and Australia reflects the AFC’s commitment to expanding the women’s game across diverse regions of Asia. This move follows previous milestones, including India’s hosting of the 2022 edition, marking the first South Asian host in over four decades, and Jordan’s historic role as the first West Asian host in 2018.
Additionally, the AFC Women’s Football Committee approved the Entry Requirements and Club Nomination Methodology for the upcoming 2024/25 season of the AFC Women’s Champions League. Updates on various matters related to women’s football, including the rescheduling of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup Indonesia 2024, were also provided during the meeting.
However, all decisions are subject to ratification by the AFC Executive Committee before they come into effect, ensuring comprehensive oversight and adherence to established protocols.
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