Saudi Arabia looks to host 2026 women's Asian Cup

Saudi's women's football team

The rights of Saudi women are severely restricted, and women weren't allowed to attend football fixtures in stadiums until 2017.

Saudi Arabia, Australia, Jordan and Uzbekistan have submitted Expressions of Interest to host the 2026 Women's Asian Cup, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Monday.

If selected, Saudi Arabia, whose women's football team only played its first match in February this year, will host its first official international women's tournament.

Saudi Arabian Football Federation to bid for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup ????
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— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) August 1, 2022

Although recent reforms have given women in Saudi Arabia more freedoms, human rights groups say that many of their rights remain restricted. Saudi women were banned from attending fixtures in stadiums until 2017.

Saudi Arabia recently established a women's football team which has been competing on the international stage.

Australia last hosted the Women's Asian Cup in 2006, while the 2018 edition was played in Jordan. Uzbekistan have not previously hosted the tournament.

"The AFC will now work with all Bidding Member Associations on the delivery of the necessary bidding documentation in accordance with the bidding process with a decision to be finalised and communicated in 2023," the AFC said.

China claimed a record-extending ninth Women's Asian Cup title after beating South Korea in the final of the 2022 tournament, which was hosted by India.