The race to host the 2031 Asian Cup heated up on Friday when South Korea's football association said it had submitted a "letter of intent" to host the continental championship to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

The AFC has also received interest from Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Indonesia and a joint bid from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan, reports say.

South Korea has officially entered the competition to host the 2031 Asian Cup, joining other countries like Australia, UAE, and Indonesia. With strong infrastructure, Korea presents a strong case. The host will be announced in 2026 after thorough AFC evaluations.

Korea has joined Australia in wanting to host the 2031 Asian Cup, the Korea Football Association said Friday, more than 70 years since the country last staged the continent's showpiece tournament.

Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have never hosted the Cup, Uzbekistan will hold the women's event in 2029. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Australia has submitted an expression of interest to host the 2031 men's Asian Cup, while Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan have made a joint bid. Football Australia confirmed the bid, emphasizing its commitment to the sport.

South Korea's decision to enter the race for the 2031 Asian Cup hosting rights looks set to reignite a bidding battle between the eastern powerhouse and influential Gulf states as the nation seeks to organise the tournament for the first time since 1960.

The Korea Football Association said it sent its "Expression of Interest" (EoI) to host the 2031 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup to the AFC on Thursday.

The Korean football governing body announced Friday it has submitted a bid to host the top Asian men's football tournament in 2031.