KUALA LUMPUR: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Tuesday postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia until December, citing regional travel disruptions and logistical difficulties.
The 24-team tournament will now run from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028. Organisers had originally scheduled it for January 7 to February 5, 2027.
The AFC’s organising committee said regional developments had created exceptional circumstances. It considered the postponement necessary in the interests of participating teams, officials and spectators.
An October strike on Riyadh’s international airport reportedly killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attack.
On Monday, the Houthis said they had launched drones towards Dammam airport. Yasser Al-Misehal, head of the local organising committee, said Saudi Arabia had been fully prepared to host the competition under its original schedule.
“We will continue our work with the same momentum,” he told the Saudi state news agency. Saudi Arabia has won the continental title three times but has never hosted the tournament.
Read: AFC Asian Cup 2027 Faces Doubts Over Saudi Security
Organizers’ had also viewed the competition as an early rehearsal for the country’s 2034 World Cup. Other sporting events have faced disruptions. Golf’s Saudi International was postponed indefinitely, while organizers’ cancelled cycling’s Urban World Championships.
Read: India Agrees to Join 2027 South Asian Games in Pakistan
Riyadh’s Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament moved from October to December. FIFA also postponed its FIFAe Finals 2026 competition in Jeddah without announcing replacement dates. The AFC will submit the revised Asian Cup dates to FIFA for approval.
(With input from Reuters)
