Asian Cup pushed back by nearly one year over security crisis

The Asian Football Confederation has delayed the 2027 Asian Cup by nearly one year because of security concerns and the regional situation. This is the biggest tournament in continental football, and Saudi Arabia is set to host it for the first time. It was earlier due to run from early January to early February 2027. Under the new schedule, it will start in late December 2027 and run until late January 2028.

The AFC said it took this decision after wide talks with the Saudi organising committee and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and after advice from experts. The AFC named the unusual situation caused by the present state of the Middle East as a key reason for the change. It pointed especially to many kinds of transport and travel problems. The new schedule will go to FIFA for approval.

Last month, the AFC and the local organising committee had finalised the match schedule for the 2027 Asian Cup. The tournament was to open with a match between Saudi Arabia and Palestine at the King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh in early January. Just a few days later, the whole tournament schedule has changed in a big way.

The 2027 edition is the 19th Asian Cup, and it is the first time Saudi Arabia will host it. The tournament will have 24 teams, and Saudi Arabia has been preparing at large scale for a long time. But the AFC chose to delay the event after weighing security and travel facts in the present regional situation.