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The AFC has halted bidding for the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups amid uncertainty over FIFA’s calendar changes, with a possible shift to even-year tournaments under review.
AFC Asian Cup (AFP Photo)
The race to host the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups has hit an unexpected pause.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Friday that it has halted the ongoing bidding process for both tournaments, citing uncertainty around potential changes to the global football calendar.
Why the Bidding Has Been Halted
At the heart of the decision lies a possible shift being discussed with FIFA: one that could see the Asian Cup move back to even-numbered years.
“Given the far-reaching implications such a change would have on the scheduling and strategic planning of its premier national team competition, the AFC has initiated a broader review of its competitions calendar,” the governing body said in a statement.
Such a change would have major knock-on effects.
“As part of this process, it has been deemed appropriate to halt the current bidding cycles to provide greater clarity and ensure a more structured approach to future host selections.”
The decision comes despite strong interest from across the continent.
Six bids had been submitted for the 2031 edition, including from Australia, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, South Korea and a joint Central Asian bid from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
For 2035, Australia, Kuwait and South Korea were again in the mix, alongside Japan.
For now, all those plans are on ice.
A Tournament in Transition
The Asian Cup’s scheduling has already seen multiple shifts over the years.
Originally played in even-numbered years after its inception in 1956, the tournament moved to an odd-year cycle starting in 2007 to avoid clashes with other major competitions.
However, the most recent edition, hosted by Qatar in January 2024, highlighted the ongoing flexibility around scheduling. Qatar stepped in after China withdrew due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Looking ahead, the next Asian Cup is set for Saudi Arabia in January 2027, with Qatar entering as defending champions.
(with Reuters inputs)
March 20, 2026, 9:16 PM IST
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