Australia has pulled out of the running to host the 2023 men's Asian Cup but will bid for the women's tournament in 2026.
After China withdrew as host nation due to its pursuit of zero-COVID, Australia had submitted an expression of interest to stage the men's tournament in June and July next year.
But on Friday, Football Australia (FA) withdrew from bidding, scuppering the Socceroos' hopes of repeating their 2015 triumph on home soil.
"Football Australia has since determined that it will not proceed to submit a formal bid for the AFC Asian Cup 2023," FA said in a statement.
"Football Australia maintains its strong interest in bidding for the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 and will submit a formal and comprehensive bid to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) within the required timeline later this year."
Australia will co-host the Women's World Cup with New Zealand in July and August 2023 and would appear well placed to stage the Women's Asian Cup three years later.
It last hosted the Women's Asian Cup in 2006 and the Matildas have won the tournament once, in China in 2010.
