AFC postpones 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia by 11 months over Middle East conflict

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia by 11 months because of the conflict in the Middle East. SBS and The Guardian reported that the AFC confirmed the decision on Tuesday. ABC and SunStar, which cited the Associated Press (AP), carried the same announcement. The tournament is now expected to run from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028, pending FIFA approval.

What we know

• SBS reported that the AFC said its organising committee approved rescheduling the tournament because of "current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions".
• The Guardian reported that the proposed new dates fall in one of the busiest periods in European club football and must be approved by Fifa.
• SunStar, citing AP, reported that the tournament was originally scheduled to begin on Jan. 7, 2027, that the decision followed extensive consultations with Saudi Arabia as host, and that the competition was due to feature 24 national teams across eight venues in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar.
• ABC reported that Yemen's Iran-allied Houthis claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities, and that a strike on Riyadh's international airport last month killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300.
• SunStar reported that Muhammed Alghamdi, a spokesman for the organising committee, told delegates at an AFC meeting in Tokyo last month that "daily life is ongoing in Saudi Arabia".
• The Guardian reported that other nations scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia in the November international window have been forced to relocate their friendlies.

What we don't know yet

• Whether FIFA will approve the new dates: The Guardian said they must be approved, and ABC said they are pending approval.
• What the delay means for Australia coach Tony Popovic: The Guardian reported that his short-term extension is due to expire after the previously scheduled January tournament, and that the postponement could have ramifications for him. No outcome has been reported.
• When other events disrupted in Saudi Arabia will be played: ABC reported that golf's Asian Tour postponed the Saudi International indefinitely and that FIFA postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 in Jeddah until an unspecified future date.

Background

Qatar Standard reported in October that the Gulf Cooperation Council and the European Union had postponed their summit, planned for October 24 in Riyadh, because of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. No new date had been set at the time.