OMM Newsroom
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia by nearly a year amid security concerns and travel disruptions linked to regional tensions, Anadolu Agency reported.
The 24-team tournament, originally scheduled for Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, will now take place from Dec. 23, 2027, to Jan. 21, 2028, subject to approval from FIFA.
The AFC said the decision followed consultations with Saudi organizers and reflected “current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region”, along with logistical and travel challenges affecting participating teams, officials and supporters.
The postponement follows recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, which have raised concerns about staging major sporting events in the kingdom.
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said in October that the tournament could be postponed if necessary. Organizers said at the time that preparations were proceeding according to schedule.
As recently as Oct. 26, the AFC had finalized kickoff times and venues for the competition. Saudi Arabia was due to open the tournament against Palestine at King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.
The event will be Saudi Arabia’s first time hosting the Asian Cup, the continent’s premier men’s international football competition. Matches are planned in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.
