Asian Cup football tournament postponed due to attacks on Saudi Arabia

SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- Asia's top men's football tournament scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in January next year has been postponed to December, amid continued attacks on the host country by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced Tuesday that the Asian Cup, originally set for Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, will instead take place from Dec. 23, 2027, to Jan. 21, 2028.

"The organizing 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, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions," the AFC said in a statement. "The new dates of the tournament will be presented to FIFA for approval. Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organization and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders."

The schedule change also throws a wrinkle into the South Korean men's national team's future. The Taegeuk Warriors are currently managed by caretaker boss Robert Moreno, who was appointed in September.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) signed him through Nov. 27 but has said the Spanish tactician will be given a chance to stay on for the Asian Cup, depending on the team's performances in his first six friendly matches between September and November.

Now that the Asian Cup will be held in December, it remains to be seen if Moreno will still be given consideration for a longer stay.

The KFA has its own leadership vacuum, with the election for the next president tentatively scheduled for Dec. 18.

"It is perhaps appropriate for the next administration to appoint the next men's national team head coach," a KFA official said, with the organization currently run by its vice president, Lee Yong-soo, on an interim basis. "Once the new president comes in, then the process to hire the new coach has to start from scratch. Since we cannot afford to have coaching vacancy in the meantime, we may need to retain Moreno as the caretaker manager for a little longer."