Thebidding process for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup was the process by which the location for the2019 AFC Asian Cup thatUnited Arab Emirates was chosen as the hosts. The process officially began on 15 December 2012 and ended on 2 February 2013.
The AFC Competitions Committee confirmed on 12 March 2013 that 11 countries expressed interest in hosting the 2019 AFC Asian Cup:Bahrain,China,Iran,Kuwait,Lebanon,Malaysia,Myanmar,Oman,Saudi Arabia,Thailand and theUnited Arab Emirates.[1] Lebanon, Malaysia and Myanmar pulled out before the deadline to submit all documents on 31 August 2013.[2]
The tournament will be expanded from 16 to 24 teams.[3][4][5][6]
The bidding procedure and timeline was approved at theAFC congress that was held on 28 November 2012.[7] Presentation files of each bid have to be submitted by 1 May 2013. Following this, inspections of facilities and infrastructure of the bidding nations is expected to be conducted between October and December 2013. Bidding nations will then have to prepare their final presentation by May 2014, the final deadline. The winning bid was originally set to be announced at an AFC congress in June,[8] then November 2014.[9]
At its 60th-anniversary celebrations at the end of 2014, a date of 'summer 2015' was given to when an announcement would be made.[10]
After their unsuccessful bid to host the2011 AFC Asian Cup,Iranian Football Federation presidentAli Kafashian stated the renewed intentions for the country to host the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.[11][12] Iran has previously hosted editions in1968 and1976, in which Iran won in both editions. The federation has proposed the use of stadia:Shahid Bahonar Stadium in Kerman,Nagshe Jahan Stadium in Isfahan,Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad,Sahand Stadium in Tabriz,Azadi Stadium andTakhti Stadium in Tehran, andShiraz Stadium in Shiraz.[13]
The following are the host cities and venues selected for Iran's bid:
| Tehran | Isfahan | |
|---|---|---|
| Azadi Stadium | Takhti Stadium | Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium |
| Capacity:78,116 | Capacity:30,122 | Capacity:75,000 |
 |  |  |
| Tabriz | ||
| Yadegar-e Emam Stadium | ||
| Capacity:66,833 | ||
 | ||
| Shiraz | Mashhad | Kerman |
| Pars Stadium | Imam Reza Stadium | Shahid Bahonar Stadium |
| Capacity:50,000 | Capacity:27,700 | Capacity:15,403 |
 |  |  |
TheUnited Arab Emirates Football Association also confirmed their bid by handing in their formal bid papers on the final day theAsian Football Confederation would accept applications.[8][14] If selected, it would be the second time the UAE has hosted the AFC Asian Cup, having hosted theevent in 1996.[8] On 29 May 2014, a delegation from the UAE visited the AFC to submit their bid book.[12][15]
The following host cities and stadiums were selected for the United Arab Emirates's bids:
| Abu Dhabi | Dubai | |
|---|---|---|
| Zayed Sports City Stadium | Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium | DSC Stadium |
| Capacity:63,578 | Capacity:42,056 | Capacity:60,500 |
 |  |  |
| Al Ain | Dubai | |
| Hazza bin Zayed Stadium | Sheikh Khalifa International Stadium | Al Ahli Stadium |
| Capacity:25,965 | Capacity:20,174 | Capacity:25,132 |
 |  | |
Saudi Arabia also confirmed they would be competing to host the competition, with PrinceNawaf bin Faisal (president of Youth Welfare), saying authorities had approved the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee's plan. This is the first time it has made a bid to host the Asian Cup.[24]
Thailand was the venue for1972 edition and last hosted in2007, serving as co-hosts with Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia.[25] 5 cities have sent hosting requests to theFAT, includingBangkok,Nonthaburi,Pathumthani,Chiang Mai andNakhon Ratchasima.[citation needed]
