After their unsuccessful bid to host the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, Iranian Football Federation president Ali Kafashian stated the renewed intentions for the country to host the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Iran has previously hosted editions in 1968 and 1976, in which Iran won in both editions. The federation has proposed the use of stadia: Shahid Bahonar Stadium in Kerman, Nagshe Jahan Stadium in Isfahan, Imam Reza Stadium in Mashhad, Sahand Stadium in Tabriz, Azadi Stadium and Takhti Stadium in Tehran, and Shiraz Stadium in Shiraz.