The 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia could be delayed by a year as attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement raise concerns about security in the region. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is monitoring developments and may move the tournament to 2028 if conditions require it.
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said organisers were in no rush to decide the tournament’s future. Speaking to reporters in Zurich, he said the governing body could wait until the end of November before reviewing the situation.
Al Khalifa noted that conditions in the Middle East could change quickly, making it too early to reach a firm conclusion. Although a postponement remains an option, he said preparations were continuing according to the existing schedule.
The tournament is due to begin on January 7, 2027, with matches scheduled in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Twenty-four national teams are expected to compete in the continental championship.
Recent security incidents have already affected sporting events in Saudi Arabia. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr had an Asian Champions League match delayed by an hour on Monday after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence reported intercepting a missile heading towards Riyadh. Three domestic football fixtures were also postponed during the week, including a match involving Al-Nassr.
The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition, which was expected to feature Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, has also been rescheduled for late December.
Australia, one of the teams set to participate in the Asian Cup, said it was closely monitoring the situation. Concerns have also emerged from South Korea, where the organisation representing professional footballers warned about the safety of players travelling to the tournament.
Korea Professional Footballers Association President Lee Keun-ho said continuing military tensions and regional instability required serious consideration. He stressed that protecting players and supporters must take priority over sporting commitments.
The AFC is expected to continue assessing developments before deciding whether the competition can proceed as planned or requires a revised schedule.
