Asian Cup football tournament postponed to December 2027
The Asian Football Confederation said on Tuesday that the Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia are moved from January 2027 to December. The reason is attacks on the country and the resulting disruption in the region.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the governing body of football in Asia, announced on Tuesday that the Asian Cup, the continental championship for national teams, will be held at the end of next year rather than early in 2027. Saudi Arabia is hosting the tournament, and the decision follows recent attacks on the country.
New dates
The 24-team tournament is now scheduled for 23 December next year to 21 January 2028. It was originally due to run from 7 January to 5 February. The new dates must still be approved by FIFA, football's world governing body.
The tournament organising committee said the timing was changed because of extraordinary circumstances in the region, including significant logistical difficulties and travel disruption. According to the committee, the postponement is necessary in the interests of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other parties involved.
Security situation
Last month an attack on Riyadh International Airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. Attacks have continued: on Monday the Houthis said they had launched drones toward Dammam airport. This raised questions about whether the tournament could go ahead as planned.
Hosts' response
Yasser Al Misehal, head of the Asian Cup local organising committee, said Saudi Arabia had been fully ready to host the tournament at the scheduled time. He promised to keep working with the same intensity ahead of the new dates.
In recent years the Saudi government has invested heavily in sport through its Public Investment Fund, and the Asian Cup was seen as a dress rehearsal before the 2034 World Cup. Saudi Arabia has won the Asian Cup three times but has never hosted it.
Effect on other events
Other sporting events in the country have also been affected. The Saudi International, a golf event on the Asian Tour, has been postponed indefinitely, the urban cycling world championships were cancelled, and the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition in Riyadh was moved from October to December.
