Asian Cup 2027 postponed almost a year due to conflict

Na statement, AFC informed that after extensive consultations with Saudi organizers, decided to postpone the start of the competition from January 7 to December 23, 2027.

The organizing committee “approved the rescheduling of the main competition for national selections in the light of the current exceptional circumstances resulting from developments in the situation in the region, including significant logistical complexities and disruptions in travel,” the AFC said.

“ Exceptional circumstances created difficulties for the organisation and realization of the competition on the dates initially foreseen, making it necessary to postpone in the interests of all participating teams, officers, spectators and other interested parties.”

The new dates, from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028, will now be submitted to FIFA for approval.

The decision puts an end to months of speculation about a possible postponement which until recently had been rejected by local organisers.

Just last week, the Saudi authorities announced the timing of the games and the final timing of the competition, in an attempt to assure the Asian federations that the preparations were normally taking place, despite recent attacks in Saudi Arabia by the Huthis rebels from Yemen, supported by Iran.

Muhammed Alghamdi, spokesman for the organizing committee, said last month during an AFC meeting in Tokyo that “life continues normally in Saudi Arabia”, despite hostilities in the region.

Prior to this meeting, the president of the AFC, Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, had already admitted the possibility of postponing the Asian Cup for a year, stating that “it could wait until the end of November” to make a decision.

The tournament, lasting one month, was scheduled to feature 24 selections, which would play games in eight stadiums distributed across three Saudi cities: Riyadh, Jedah and Khobar. In the group phase, Iran became part of Group A, together with Syria, China and Kyrgyzstan.