KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA, March 19, (V7N)— The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has suspended the bidding process for hosting the men’s AFC Asian Cup editions scheduled for 2031 and 2035, following a request from FIFA to shift the tournament to even-numbered years.

In a letter sent to member federations on Thursday, the AFC confirmed that it would abandon the current bidding cycle “in its entirety” after agreeing “following careful consideration” to align with FIFA’s proposed changes to the international match calendar.

The decision comes just weeks after several countries — including Australia, Kuwait, South Korea, and Japan — had expressed interest in hosting the tournaments.

According to the AFC, FIFA recently informed Asian football authorities of its intention to restructure the global football calendar, urging that the continent’s flagship national team competition be staged in even-numbered years. This shift would likely move the tournaments to 2032 and 2036.

Such a change would align the Asian Cup with other major continental competitions, including UEFA’s European Championship and South America’s Copa America, which are also held in even-numbered years.

The FIFA-managed international calendar, which currently runs through 2030, dictates scheduling for national team matches and tournaments worldwide, including mandatory player release periods for clubs.

While FIFA has yet to publicly comment on the latest development, the governing body has faced growing criticism in recent years over its handling of calendar reforms, with concerns raised about insufficient consultation with stakeholders.

Regulatory scrutiny has also intensified, with authorities in Brussels examining formal complaints from player unions and domestic leagues regarding the impact of scheduling changes on player welfare and club competitions.

The AFC’s decision effectively resets the hosting race for the Asian Cup, with a revised bidding process expected once the new calendar framework is finalized.

The next edition of the tournament is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2027, beginning January 5, under the current calendar.

The move underscores the growing influence of FIFA over the global football schedule, as governing bodies seek to balance commercial interests, player welfare, and competitive integrity in an increasingly crowded international calendar.

END/WSP/RH