Asian Cup Postponed to December 2027 Amid Regional Security Concerns
The 2027 AFC Asian Cup has been postponed until December 2027 amid escalating security concerns in Saudi Arabia. Regional security risks and Houthi attacks targeting critical infrastructure have forced football officials to shift the tournament schedule, impacting national squads preparing for the continental championship.
Regional Security Risks Force Schedule Shift for 24-Team Continental Championship
The 24-team competition, originally slated to run from January 7 to February 5, will move to December 2027 across its designated venues in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al-Khobar. The adjustment affects participating squads, including the South Korean national team under interim coach Robert Moreno, which had scheduled November friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Qatar to build readiness for the tournament’s opening fixtures.
Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa previously outlined potential schedule revisions in Zurich, noting that the confederation would monitor regional stability before finalizing tournament timelines.
