NONG: AFC makes unprecedented decision in Asian Cup history

According to FIFA's proposal, AFC postpones all bidding processes for hosting the Asian Cup 2031 and 2035.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has officially halted the entire bidding process for hosting the Asian Cup 2031 and 2035, following a request from FIFA to adjust the schedule. This move is considered a major surprise for regional football, especially since the host selection process had only recently begun.

According to information from Associated Press, AFC sent a letter to its member federations, confirming the decision was made just six weeks after announcing the candidate list including Australia, Kuwait, South Korea, and Japan. Notably, the organization emphasized that it agreed with FIFA's proposal to change the international match calendar, thereby opening the possibility that the Asian Cup will shift to even-numbered years such as 2032 and 2036.

In the letter, AFC stated that FIFA had announced plans to adjust the global match calendar and expressed a desire for Asia's premier national team tournament to be held in even-numbered years. After evaluation, AFC confirmed its agreement and asserted that "the bidding process for the 2031 and 2035 editions will be completely canceled."

If this scenario occurs, the Asian Cup is likely to take place in the same years as the UEFA European Championship (Euro) and the Copa America. This not only creates significant pressure on media coverage but also affects resource allocation and the attention of fans worldwide.

The international match calendar managed by FIFA is long-term and currently planned up to 2030, including the Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia. This calendar also specifies when clubs must release players for national teams to participate in qualifiers, finals, and friendly matches.

FIFA's latest move continues to face criticism, as experts argue that the organization did not adequately consult relevant stakeholders. Even the European Union in Brussels is currently considering complaints from player unions and national leagues regarding the changes to the match calendar.

In the context of increasingly competitive regional football, any changes from the management level can lead to widespread consequences.The decision by AFC — influenced by FIFA— is therefore not just about organizing tournaments, but also directly affects the development strategies of many football nations, including Vietnam.