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Asian Cup Postponed to December 2027 Due to Security Concerns
· Confirmed
In Short: Security concerns intensified when Yemen's Houthi militia launched drones toward Dammam airport, raising further uncertainty over the tournament's original schedule.
The Asian Cup, a 24-team tournament, was set to be staged across eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar.
Security concerns intensified when Yemen's Houthi militia launched drones toward Dammam airport, raising further uncertainty over the tournament's original schedule.
The postponement marks another setback for Saudi Arabia's sporting ambitions, following the delay of the 2029 Asian Winter Games due to development delays at a planned desert ski resort in Neom.
The Asian Cup's rescheduling follows earlier assurances from Saudi organizers that preparations were continuing as planned.
The 2027 season of the Saudi Pro League has also been affected by the rescheduling of the Asian Cup, with matches postponed this weekend.
What this adds
The Asian Cup's postponement adds to a series of events in Saudi Arabia that have been delayed due to security concerns, including the Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament and the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition.
Background
The Saudi Pro League has postponed matches scheduled for this weekend following the rescheduling of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has rescheduled the 2027 Asian Cup from January to December due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
What's confirmed
- "The organising committee for AFC Asian Cup approved to reschedule the flagship national team tournament in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region," the confederation said in a statement.
- The Asian Cup has officially been postponed due to security concerns in Saudi Arabia.
What's still developing
- He said organisers would continue working with the AFC and other partners to ensure the tournament met the standards expected of Saudi Arabia and the Asian Cup.
- The United States removed all its B-1 bombers from Britain's RAF Fairford air base, a decision stemming from security concerns over suspected terror plots against the facility, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing US officials.
- C hinese exports to the United States have suffered a sharp decline amid growing uncertainty over tariffs and deepening concerns about the country’s broader economic outlook.
- Homeland Security then barricaded and searched through every room in the house.
- Organisers now expect it to start in December and run into early 2028.
- Alghamdi, a spokesman for the organizing committee, last month told members at an Asian Football Confederation meeting in Tokyo that "daily life is ongoing in Saudi Arabia," despite the regional hostilities.
- The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh has been moved from October to December and world soccer governing body FIFA postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in Jeddah until an unspecified future date.
Sources
- TRT Worldlink
- Türkiye Todaylink
- Euronewslink
- Olorisupergallink
- Khaleejtimeslink
- Ariselink
- Asialink
- Newsofbahrainlink
- Football360link
- Redifflink
- BBClink
- Etvbharatlink
- WarpBeat — background on Saudi Pro League Postpones Matches After Asian Cup Rescheduling link
- WarpBeat — background on Asian Cup 2027 Postponed to December Due to Yemen Conflict link
- All Games Live — video link