Three Middle East countries – UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, have launched a joint bid to host the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2021.

The three Gulf states are looking to host the biennial tournament, with FIFA set to make a decision in the autumn.

The deadline for submitting a formal proposal is August 30, but so far the Middle East bid is facing competition from four other potential hosts.

Brazil, Peru, Indonesia and another joint bid, from Myanmar and Thailand, have expressed an interest, according to FIFA.

The announcement coincided with the start of the 2019 edition held in Poland, with the final on June 15 at Lodz Stadium.

The FIFA U20 World Cup was formerly known as the FIFA World Youth Championship and has been running every two years since 1977.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE have all hosted the tournament individually in previous years, along with Egypt and Turkey.

The UAE also hosted the FIFA Club World Cup in 2017 and 2018 and the AFC Asian Cup earlier this year.

The 2017 tournament was won by England, who beat Venezuela 1-0 in the final.