The Asian Cup, originally scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in early 2027, has been postponed until December next year following recent attacks on the kingdom, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Tuesday.
A strike on Riyadh’s international airport last month killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claiming responsibility for the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.
The attacks had raised questions over whether the 24-team tournament could proceed as planned from January 7 to February 5 next year.
The competition will now take place from December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028.
The tournament’s organising committee said the decision was taken in light of “exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions”.
“The new dates of the tournament will be presented to FIFA for approval,” it added.
“Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organisation and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.”
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sport through its Public Investment Fund in recent years, with the Asian Cup seen as an early test of its preparations to host the 2034 World Cup.
Security concerns and travel disruptions have also affected other sporting events in the kingdom. Golf’s Asian Tour postponed the Saudi International indefinitely, while cycling’s Urban World Championships were cancelled.
The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh has been moved from October to December, while world soccer governing body FIFA postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in Jeddah until an unspecified future date.
