TOKYO: Japan Football Association President Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said Friday that security conditions could make it difficult for Saudi Arabia to stage the AFC Asian Cup 2027 as scheduled.
The tournament is due to run from January 7 to February 5 next year. Miyamoto spoke after meeting Saudi representatives at an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) congress in Tokyo.
“I don’t think it would be easy to hold the AFC Cup there,” he told reporters. Miyamoto said the Saudi side had made safety its main concern.
That included players, supporters and others attending the tournament. Saudi representatives told him they would work with the AFC before deciding whether the event could proceed as planned. A final decision could take time, Miyamoto said.
Read: Pakistan AFC U20 Qualifiers Missed Over Funds
AFC chief Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa said last week that postponing the tournament until 2028 remained an option if needed.
Saudi Arabia’s local organizing committee has maintained its position that the tournament will proceed on its original schedule. Several sporting events in the kingdom have already faced cancellations or delays during the current security situation.
