'Landmark' as Jordan to host AFC Women's Asian Cup

Bangkok (AFP) – Jordan will become the first Middle East nation to host a top Asian women’s football tournament when it holds the next Women’s Asian Cup in 2018, officials said.

Moya Dodd, who chairs the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) women’s football committee, called the decision a “geographical landmark”.

Jordan are also hosting the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup later this month.

“Jordan have proved they are worthy hosts of the next edition of the AFC Women’s Asia Cup Finals,” Dodd said in an AFC statement. 

“This decision marks a geographical landmark, being the first time a member association from the West Zone will have hosted a senior AFC women’s tournament,” she added.

The decision adds to a concentration of major football events in the region, with the United Arab Emirates hosting the men’s Asian Cup in 2019 and Qatar organising the World Cup in 2022.