UAE FA officials are confident the Emirates will be named as hosts for the 2019 Asian Cup. 

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The UAE are competing with Iran for the rights to stage the tournament which was last held here in 1996. 

An official announcement is not due until March although sources close to the FA have told Sport360° they believe their bid will be successful.

The UAE has several tournament-ready stadium: Al Ain’s 25,000-capacity Hazza bin Zayed, the Mohammed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi which holds 42,056, Zayed Sports City which can accommodate 43,000 and the 30,000 Dubai Cricket Stadium.

The 2019 tournament will see the number of teams competing increase from 16 to 24.