Fresh concerns over 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia after missile strikes in Riyadh

Asia’s elite men’s footballers are on edge as they prepare to travel to conflict-affected Saudi Arabia for January’s Asian Cup.

Multiple missile strikes by the Houthis on Riyadh’s international airport in recent days have killed more than a dozen people and wounded hundreds.

Five of the continental tournament’s eight venues are in Riyadh, and the hosts will meet Palestine in the tournament opener on 7 January. In total, 31 matches will be held in the capital, including the final on 5 February.

The eastern parts of Saudi Arabia have also been threatened during the Iran-US conflict this year, including the city of Al Khobar in the Persian Gulf which will host seven matches including Australia v Singapore on 9 January.

Consternation is building across Asia about the safety of those travelling to Saudi Arabia. The Japanese Football Association withdrew from the FIFAe video game World Cup due to be held in Saudi Arabia later this month, “following a comprehensive assessment of the current situation in the host country and the available information regarding safety and security”.

A statement from Beau Busch, president of Fifpro Asia/Oceania, said his organisation’s thoughts are with all people impacted by the conflict in the region, but he acknowledged players’ concerns about the coming tournament.

“The safety of players, fans and staff must be the priority and the central consideration in the planning and delivery of the AFC Asian Cup,” he said.

Ange Postecoglou’s Riyadh-based Al-Nassr, who have Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks, had an Asian Champions League match delayed by an hour on Monday. A Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh.

Busch is also chief executive of Australian players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia. The Socceroos are also due to travel to the region in the November international window for matches against Qatar in Doha and Jordan in Amman.

“Through the PFA and Fifpro, the global players’ union, we have continued to monitor the situation and engage closely with Football Australia and external experts,” he said.

“Risk assessments are conducted before all camps and will continue to be critically important ahead of the Asian Cup with the ever changing security situation in the region,” he said.

“We will continue working with all stakeholders to ensure player safety, wellbeing and welfare remain the priority ahead of January and the upcoming November friendlies in the region.”

A statement from Football Australia said it was “closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia”, that “the safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and supporters remains paramount” and that risk assessment will be a “key focus” ahead of January.

“We remain in regular contact with Professional Footballers Australia and will continue our dialogue with the Asian Football Confederation regarding its plans for the tournament, guided by the advice of the Australian government,” a spokesperson said.

The Australian government’s Smartraveller website was last updated on Monday. “We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel overall due to the security situation in Saudi Arabia,” it said.

The Asian Football Confederation declined to comment on Tuesday despite the players’ concerns.

The organisation has signed up an array of Saudi Arabia-based sponsors for the tournament including Aramco, Alrajhi Bank and NEOM.

Fifa awarded the right to host the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia three years ago in an abbreviated process that was a surprise to observers.