'We have informed the AFC of our initial interest, but a decision will be made by the end of the year about whether we will submit a formal bid,' a spokesman for the Football Association of Singapore said on Sunday.

The city-state joins Qatar's Doha and the United Arab Emirates capital Abu Dhabi in the running to host the 46-member AFC.

Malaysia, the AFC's home since its creation 43 years ago, has refused to bid because of the organisation's 'excessive demands", insisting it has enough support among member countries to block a move.

On its website (www.the-afc-com), the AFC said its president, Mohamed Bin Hammam - who first suggested a move - 'would like to keep the AFC headquarters at its current location'.

The AFC said on Friday it had received expressions of interest from the three countries by the Oct. 31 deadline, although informed sources told Reuters only Qatar and UAE had declared their interest by that date. -- REUTERS