KUALA LUMPUR (The Thursday Times) — The 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been postponed by almost a year because of the attacks on the host country, the Asian Football Confederation said on Tuesday.
The tournament had been due to run from January 7 to February 5 next year. It will now take place from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, and the new dates must still be approved by Fifa.
The confederation said the decision was taken “in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions”.
In October, a Houthi missile attack on Riyadh’s airport killed 13 people and wounded more than 300. The Houthis have since claimed further attacks on Saudi airports and oil sites, and airlines have extended their flight suspensions into 2027.
Other events in the kingdom have also been called off, including the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition in Riyadh.
The kingdom is also due to host the 2034 World Cup. For European clubs, the change means Asian players will stay available this season, but will be away in the middle of next season instead.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia were continuing, as Tehran seeks new regional security arrangements. Senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran last week, a visit Riyadh said was meant to “prevent the return of military escalation”.
