Kuala Lumpur (AFP) - The Asian Football Cup finals, which were scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia next January and February, have been postponed to December and the beginning of 2028 due to "developments in the region," the Asian Football Confederation announced on Tuesday.
Published on: 03/11/2026 - 08:07
This decision comes in light of the security threats resulting from the repercussions of the American war on Iran and the attacks launched by the Yemeni Houthis, supported by Tehran, on Saudi Arabia.
The finals, which were scheduled between January 7 and February 5, 2027, will be held from December 23, 2027 until January 21, 2028.
The AFC said in a statement, “The Asian Cup Organizing Committee agreed to reschedule the continental championship for national teams in light of the current exceptional circumstances resulting from developments in the region, including significant logistical complications and travel disruptions.”
He continued, "The new dates for the tournament will be submitted to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) for approval."
The Continental Federation revealed that the decision was taken “following extensive discussions and close consultations with the local organizing committee for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Football Association.”
“These exceptional circumstances led to challenges affecting the organization and holding of competitions according to the original schedule, which made postponing the tournament necessary in order to serve the interests of all participating teams, officials, fans and other concerned parties,” according to the AFC statement.
The AFC praised the Saudi Football Federation and the local organizing committee for their commitment to providing a world-class tournament for the continent’s players and fans.
"More ready"
In turn, the local organizing committee for the finals confirmed "the continuation of its preparations and coordination with the Asian Confederation and all relevant parties, to ensure the presentation of an exceptional version of the tournament that befits the status of the Kingdom and the aspirations of the Asian fans."
In an interview with the Saudi Press Agency, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Local Organizing Committee for the Asian Cup, Yasser bin Hassan Al-Mashal, said: “The Kingdom is fully prepared to host the Asian Cup, and our preparations to receive the continent’s teams and fans in January were complete according to the approved plans, and we will continue to work with the same momentum until the new date for the tournament in December 2027.”
The war that has been going on since February between Iran on the one hand, and the United States and Israel on the other hand, has cast a shadow over the major sporting calendar in the Gulf states, and has led to confusion in many of the entitlements, most notably the cancellation of the Saudi and Bahrain prizes within the Formula One World Championship in April, in addition to the cancellation of the final round of the World Rally Championships (WRC) and the Middle East Rally Championships and an exhibition tournament in tennis.
The Dakar Desert Rally, scheduled for next January, was among the major events affected by the war in the region, as the decision was taken a few days ago to move it from Saudi Arabia to Portugal and Morocco.
Amaury Sport, the company organizing the event, said that “in light of the recent developments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” it was decided to move the 2027 competitions exceptionally to Europe and Africa, with the rally returning to Saudi Arabia in 2028 to celebrate its fiftieth edition.
Last month, the Asian Football Confederation decided on Sunday to postpone the match between Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia, in which Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo plays, and Al-Wasl of the Emirates, which was scheduled in Riyadh on October 26 in the third round of the unified group stage of the AFC Champions League for the elite.
© 2026 AFP
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