AFC Cancels 2031 & 2035 Asian Cup Bidding – Indonesia Impacted

AFC Cancels Bidding for 2031 Asian Cup, Impacting Indonesia’s Hopes

Indonesia’s ambition to host the 2031 AFC Asian Cup has been dealt a blow as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to halt the bidding process for both the 2031 and 2035 tournaments.

The AFC officially announced the cancellation of the bidding process on Thursday, March 19, 2026, following notification from FIFA regarding planned changes to the international match calendar.

FIFA has requested that the AFC schedule its major men’s football tournaments in even-numbered years. The AFC has agreed to follow this directive, leading to the complete cancellation of the ongoing bidding process to avoid uncertainty regarding host appointments.

Implications for Indonesia’s Bid

Indonesia was among eight nations that had expressed interest in hosting the 2031 Asian Cup. The decision to halt the bidding process directly impacts Indonesia’s plans. In February 2025, Indonesia formally became a candidate for the 2031 edition.

Alongside Indonesia, Australia, India, Kuwait, South Korea, and a joint bid from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were too contenders for the 2031 tournament. Australia, Kuwait, and South Korea, along with Japan, had also submitted bids to host the 2035 edition.

Shift in Tournament Scheduling

The AFC stated that this development will significantly affect the scheduling and planning of competitions. The confederation is currently assessing the implications of these adjustments and considering necessary revisions to its competition calendar.

The decision is expected to shift the staging of the Asian Cup to 2032 and 2036, aligning with the years of the European Championship (Euro) and Copa America.

Recent Developments in Indonesian Football

Despite this setback, Indonesia recently achieved a historic milestone in futsal, reaching the final of the 2026 AFC Futsal Asian Cup, where they were runners-up to Iran. The PSSI (Football Association of Indonesia) also received a sanction from the AFC following the conclusion of the futsal tournament, but has decided not to appeal the decision.

The Indonesian national futsal team was also praised by Spanish media for their impressive performance throughout the tournament.

FAQ

• Why did the AFC cancel the bidding process? The AFC cancelled the bidding process following a request from FIFA to align the Asian Cup schedule with even-numbered years.
• What does this mean for Indonesia’s chances of hosting? Indonesia’s current bid is effectively paused, and the country will demand to re-enter the bidding process when We see reopened, if at all.
• When are the next potential host selections? The AFC will need to reassess the bidding process for the 2032 and 2036 editions of the Asian Cup.