[Official] Asian Cup timing changed to be held in 'even-numbered years' starting from 2032

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, which has been held every four years in odd-numbered years since 2007, will shift to being held in even-numbered years starting with the 2032 tournament.

The AFC announced that it approved major amendments to its statutes, including changes to the timing of the Asian Cup, at the 2026 Interim Congress held in Tokyo, Japan, on the 23rd (Korean time).

According to the announcement made on that day, the Asian Cup will be held every four years in even-numbered years starting from the 2032 tournament. This is to respond to unusual circumstances arising from recent changes to the international match schedule by the International Football Federation (FIFA).

The Asian Cup, first held in 1956, was held every four years in even-numbered years up until the 2004 tournament, but was changed to be held in odd-numbered years from 2007 through the 2023 tournament.

Next year's tournament is also scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in January 2027, an odd-numbered year.

However, the timing of the Asian Cup differed from that of tournaments such as the European Football Championship (Euro) organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), and voices of regret emerged stating that it was difficult to prepare properly for the tournament because it was held immediately after the International Football Federation (FIFA) World Cup.

The South Korean national team, for instance, is in a situation where, after finishing with disappointing results at the 2026 FIFA North-Central America World Cup, they will have to play only six friendly matches before competing in the Asian Cup again.

In response, the AFC changed the tournament schedule to hold the Asian Cup in even-numbered years starting from the 2032 tournament. Unless next year's Saudi Arabia tournament is postponed, the Asian Cup is scheduled to be held five years after next year's tournament.

AFC President Sheikh Salman stated, "Today's decision strengthens our governance and ensures that regulations are robust, transparent, and aligned with their original purpose," adding, "Through this, we have secured continuity and can open a brighter and better future for Asian football."

Meanwhile, the AFC did not separately announce on that day regarding the normal holding of next year's tournament amid recent Middle East political instability.

Previously, the situation in Saudi Arabia became unstable, with incidents such as missile attacks on King Khalid International Airport in the capital Riyadh, leading to suggestions about the possibility of changing the host location or postponing the tournament by one year.

Next year's Asian Cup will be held from January 7 to February 5 in three Saudi cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Qobbar.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original