AFC scraps Asian Cup bids for 2031 and 2035 to align with FIFA calendar

Asia’s football body dropped bids to host the men’s Asian Cup in 2031 and 2035, telling member federations on Thursday that FIFA had asked for the tournament to be moved to even years.

The Asian Football Confederation’s letter to members seen by the Associated Press came just six weeks after announcing a list of interested candidates, including Australia, Kuwait and South Korea, each looking to host one of the tournaments. Japan wanted the 2035 edition.

The letter states that FIFA recently informed Asian football leaders of planned changes to the international competition calendar, and that the world body wants the AFC to stage its major men’s event in even-numbered years.

The AFC told member federations «after careful consideration» that it agreed to adhere to FIFA’s request – likely pushing the Asian Cup to 2032 and 2036, the same years in which UEFA’s European Championship and South America’s Copa America will be played.

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FIFA was contacted for comment.

Bidding for the 2031 and 2035 competitions “will be halted in their entirety,” the AFC said.

The FIFA-managed calendar sets dates years in advance for national team matches and the current calendar runs until 2030. This includes the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia from January 5.

The FIFA calendar also determines when clubs around the world must release players to national teams for qualifiers, finals and friendlies.

FIFA has been criticized in recent years for not consulting enough about changing the calendar, and the European Union in Brussels is investigating a formal complaint from players’ unions and domestic leagues.

Published on March 19, 2026