UAE FA chief Yousef Al Serkal ‘confident’ of winning bid for 2019 AFC Asian Cup

UAE FA president Yousef Alserkal is confident the country's bid is strong enough to win the 2019 AFC Asian Cup hosting rights. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

The country’s football chief expects the UAE’s bid to host the 2019 Asian Cup will win the approval of the Asian Football Confederation when its executive committee meets in Bahrain on Monday.

The continent’s premier international competition is expected to expand from 16 nations to 24 in 2019, making it the biggest and most prestigious senior football tournament to be organised by the UAE, eclipsing the 12-team Asian Cup of 1996.

“We are waiting with big confidence that we will win this and host 2019,” Yousef Al Serkal, president of the Football Association, said on Sunday.

He said the UAE bid met “the latest standards in everything” and that the Emirates are “completely ready to host the Asian event”.

Iran is the other bidder for the tournament.

Al Serkal said the country’s success in hosting Fifa tournaments puts it in good stead for a favourable result, recalling the 2009 and 2010 Fifa Club World Cups hosted by Abu Dhabi, as well as the 24-nation 2003 Fifa World Youth Championship as well as the Fifa Under 17 World Cup organised across the UAE in 2013.

“Everyone knows the ability of the UAE to organise tournaments,” he said.

The Asian Cup was last held in the UAE in 1996. Saudi Arabia defeated the hosts in the final, via a penalty shoot-out.

"Our goal is to hold this tournament and win it for the first time," said Mohammed Abdulaziz, a member of the organising committee. "Not just to challenge for it, as in Australia", where the UAE finished third in January.

The bid calls for the tournament to be played in six stadiums in three cities: Zayed Sports City and Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi; Hazza bin Zayed Stadium and Khalifa International Stadium in Al Ain; and Dubai’s stadium under construction in Dubai Sports City as well as the Dubai International Cricket Ground.

“We’re ready to show that whether it’s 16 or 24 teams, we can do it,” said Mohammed Abdullah Al Dhaheri, the FA general secretary.

“Lots of other factors are on our side,” Al Serkal added. “We are completely confident in this proposal and with the voting countries I believe the following hours will see us celebrating and celebrating our leadership’s backing.

“Our desire to hold this at home shows our pride in our continent, and we want to show the UAE in a good light and how much he have progressed in all aspects of life, as well as a sporting one.”

* With agency

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE