The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially announced the abandonment of the bidding process for both the 2031 and 2035 editions of the AFC Asian Cup, in a significant development that could reshape the future hosting landscape of Asia’s premier football tournament.
The decision was confirmed in an official letter dated 19 March 2026, signed by AFC General Secretary Windsor John and addressed to all Member Associations involved in the bidding race.
According to the AFC, the move comes following recent communication from FIFA regarding a potential overhaul of the international match calendar, including a proposal for the AFC Asian Cup to be staged in even-numbered years moving forward.
This adjustment would significantly impact tournament scheduling and long-term planning, prompting the AFC to halt the current bidding cycle entirely.
The confederation stated that discontinuing the process was necessary “to avoid uncertainty in the hosting arrangements.”
The cancellation affects all Member Associations that had expressed interest in hosting the 2031 and 2035 tournaments, effectively resetting the race for hosting rights.
The AFC emphasized that once the calendar implications are fully assessed, a new bidding process will be launched, with Member Associations expected to re-engage under revised timelines and frameworks.
Despite the abrupt halt, the AFC extended its appreciation to all participating nations for their Commitment, Preparation efforts, Continued support for Asian football development
The governing body reaffirmed its intention to maintain collaboration with Member Associations once the revised structure is finalized.
Credit Photo : AFC
