Saudi Arabia launches bid to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup

Saudi women cheer during the match between Al Ahli and Al Batin at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia January 12, 2018.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has officially announced the launch of their campaign to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. Focused on the future, the bid of Saudi Arabia unveiled a new bid logo and slogan "Forward for Asia".
With a positive momentum being created in Asian football, bringing the AFC Asian Cup 2027 to Saudi Arabia for the first time ever is an opportunity to ensure that the football momentum being created is not only carried forward, but that it is renewed and expanded to include each and every football association across Asia.
SAFF President, Yasser Al Mashal, said, "As we in Saudi Arabia undertake our own transformation forward through our national Vision 2030, . Our vision for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup is to build much more than a tournament.
"We want to create a massive move forward for all of Asia, one that is focused on creating a new experience, a new exchange and a new expansion. We look forward to sharing our ideas with the entire Asian football family in the coming months."
SAFF has a long and successful football history, having won the AFC Asian Cup three times and qualified for the Fifa World Cup five times, but until now has never hosted an official AFC Asian Cup in the Kingdom.
SAFF General Secretary, Ibrahim Alkassim, said: "The Saudi Arabian Football Association is not only committed to hosting an exceptional AFC Asian Cup in 2027, but we are also committed to creating a strong impact across Asian football as part of organising the tournament here in Saudi Arabia. Bringing the AFC Asian Cup to Saudi Arabia for the first time ever is the unique opportunity to carry forward the momentum of football in our region and across Asia. We are committed to making a 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia a huge step forward for all AFC Member Associations."
The Saudi 2027 bid logo represents the powerful combination of three elements: the golden falcon, football and wings.
The golden falcon, Saudi Arabia's national bird,  highlights the ongoing passion of the nation for football, which portrays the Kingdom's commitment to hosting the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and ensuring renewal, expansion and positive momentum. The logo then lastly integrates with the wings which resemble partnership and moving forward.
The combination symbolises the boldness, strength and commitment of the Kingdom to Asian football. Together with the slogan "Forward for Asia", this complements the forward-thinking vision set out by Saudi 2027 for the tournament and for future of football across Asia.
The AFC Asian Cup is held every four years, with the next edition due to be held in China in 2023.
Qatar are the current holders, having won the tournament for the first time in 2019 after beating Japan 3-1 in the final in the UAE.