RIYADH — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has invited on Tuesday the Asian Football Cup (AFC) working team to discuss the Kingdom’s bid to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027. The King emphasized that the Kingdom intends, if given the opportunity to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, to provide an unprecedented football experience to millions of fans of this game in Asia. King Salman said: “Football has been gaining momentum in our Kingdom with its massive popular appeal. Our vision is based on our great passion for football, which is embodied in our young men and women.” The Monarch continued saying: “The historical ties between the Kingdom and football date back beyond decades, represented by a history full of successes and championships at the continental level.” For his part, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman supported the Kingdom’s bid to host the 2027 Asian Cup, stressing constant keenness to move forward to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. He pointed out that the Kingdom is on its way to score more achievements through the vision in all its axes that include promoting the development of Asian football in all fields. “Our vision to host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup is to present more than just a championship, as the Kingdom intends to make great progress for the future of Asia and make a qualitative leap that enhances the position of Asian football,” he said. The Crown Prince emphasized that the 2027 AFC Asian Cup is a step towards creating a new experience, new exchange and new expansion, through which we look forward to sharing our goals and ambitions with the Asian football family. “The organization of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in the Kingdom for the first time ever would be an opportunity to create the future of football in the Kingdom and the Asian continent, as we look forward with determination to open new horizons for Asian football,” he added. It is noteworthy that Saudi Arabia is making a strong bid to host the Asian Cup in 2027 with promise to boost the Kingdom’s most popular sport. Under the slogan “Forward for Asia”, the Saudi 2027 bid seeks to use the Asian Cup in 2027 as a platform to provide new and unique opportunities for the AFC’s 47 member associations to build the profile of football in their countries. Saudi 2027 recently launched the Saudi United initiative, which aims to unite people in Saudi Arabia through football as the three-time winners of the competition aim to play host to the tournament for the first time in its history.