The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed the Asian Cup, which was set to take place in less than two months, due to recent deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia.
AFC stated that "logistical complexities and travel disruptions" caused by the conflicts in the region led to this decision.
New Date for the Tournament
Instead of the previous date of January 7, 2027, the tournament will now start on December 23, 2027, and will continue until January 21, 2028. This postponement follows the delay and cancellation of several other sporting events in the region, including a Formula One race and men's and women's tennis finals.
Saudi Arabia hosted and won the Gulf Cup last month, but there were concerns about holding the Asian Cup. The tournament was set to feature 24 teams across eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar.
Emergency Conditions and Concerns
AFC stated that "conditions resulting from regional developments, including logistical complexities and travel disruptions, have made it impossible to hold this tournament." Specifically, this postponement is due to a recent wave of deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia by Iran-backed Houthi militants and other conflicts in the region.
The Houthis have targeted Saudi infrastructure, including airports, and are at war with a coalition led by Saudi Arabia that supports the internationally recognized Yemeni government. This civil war reignited in July after a years-long ceasefire.
The Asian Football Confederation was under pressure from several federations to postpone the tournament, with South Korean players leading the request. Lee Keun-ho, president of the Korean Professional Football Association, said last month: "Military tensions and security instability in the Middle East are issues that cannot be ignored." He added that "no value of a tournament can take precedence over the lives and safety of players and football fans." It seems that AFC now agrees with this view.
After the postponement announcement, Yasser Al-Maisel, head of the local organizing committee, promised that Saudi Arabia is "fully prepared" whenever the tournament takes place. He told the Saudi Press Agency: "The tournament will be moved to new dates, and our preparations will continue as planned."
Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in sports over the past decade, from purchasing Premier League teams to hosting boxing events and bidding for major sporting events, especially the 2034 World Cup, which it won the hosting rights for unopposed.
However, the country has recently reduced or canceled funding for several sporting events, including golf, rugby, tennis, and winter sports.
