AFC Asian Cup 2027 postponed after recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia

A screen displays the results of the final draw of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup during a ceremony in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia. | Photo Credit: AFP

The Asian Cup, initially ​scheduled to take ‌place in Saudi Arabia ​in early ⁠2027, has been postponed until December next ‌year following recent attacks on ‌the kingdom, the ‌Asian ⁠Football Confederation (AFC) ⁠said on Tuesday.

A strike on Riyadh’s international airport ​last month ‌killed at least 12 people and wounded more than ‌300, with Yemen’s ​Iran-aligned Houthi movement claiming responsibility ⁠for the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia ‌in more than a decade.

The tournament’s organising committee said the tournament had been ‌rescheduled “in light of the ​current exceptional circumstances arising from developments ⁠in the region, ⁠including substantial logistical complexities and ‌travel disruptions.”

The edition was originally scheduled to take place between January 7 and February 5, but now will happen between December 23 and January 21, 2028. “The new dates of the tournament will be presented to FIFA for approval,” AFC added.

Defending champion Qatar is part of the 24-team field which will take part in the 19th edition of the tournament.

The continental showpiece will pose as a dress rehearsal for Saudi Arabia, which is set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Other sporting events in the Gulf have also been affected due to the Houthi attacks.

The Dakar Rally was moved from Saudi Arabia to Portugal and Morocco due to the unrest in the region, while Yamaha pulled out of the Qatar MotoGP over safety concerns.

Golf’s Asian Tour postponed the Saudi International indefinitely, while cycling’s Urban ⁠World Championships was also cancelled.

The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis ⁠tournament in Riyadh was also moved from October to December, with FIFA indefinitely postponing its FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in Jeddah.