Iraq and Kuwait weigh joint bid to host AFC Asian Cup 2031

Basra (IraqiNews.com) – Basra Governor Asaad Al-Eidani revealed that preliminary verbal understandings were reached with the Kuwaiti Minister of Interior to explore a joint Iraqi-Kuwaiti bid for hosting the AFC Asian Cup 2031. The prospective initiative aims to leverage geographic proximity, advanced stadium infrastructure, and regional event hosting experience to submit a competitive candidate portfolio. According to the initial proposal, the joint dossier would feature prominent sporting facilities across both borders, centering on Basra’s Basra International Stadium (Palm Trunk) with its 65,000-seat capacity and Al-Minaa Olympic Stadium, backed by modernized transport and hospitality infrastructure delivered during the 25th Arabian Gulf Cup. From the Kuwaiti side, key venues would include Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium and Sabah Al-Salem Stadium, supported by Kuwait’s administrative track record in hosting continental sporting fixtures. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is evaluating bids from several prospective host candidates for the 2031 tournament, with Kuwait previously confirmed among the contending associations alongside Australia, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and a joint Central Asian bid by Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Any formalization of an official binational Iraq-Kuwait candidature will require coordination and statutory submission through the Iraqi Football Association and Kuwait Football Association within AFC bidding frameworks.