(MENAFN- Gulf Times)
AFP/Dubai
The United Arab Emirates has been rubber-stamped as hosts for the expanded Asian Cup in 2019 after signing an official agreement with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The UAE previously held the event in 1996 but it will be the first to host 24 teams up from the 16 who competed in Australia in January.
The change was made "in order to give teams from AFC's Member Associations more international exposure and matches and to help them develop football in their country" an AFC statement said on Friday.
The Gulf state was unveiled in March as the next destination for the Asian Cup and is now confirmed after Thursday's signing of an Organising Association Agreement.
The UAE has a tough act to follow after this year's tournament in Australia set new attendance records and was widely viewed on TV and social media.
The UAE were one of the most exciting teams in the competition and they finished third after wins against holders Japan and 2007 champions Iraq.
The 2019 edition will take place just three years before Qatar is due to host the World Cup in 2022.
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