The 2027 AFC Asian Cup has been postponed amid growing regional security concerns, forcing a major change to the schedule of Asia’s biggest international football tournament.
The competition, originally scheduled to run from January 7 to February 5, 2027, will now take place from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, following a decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
The announcement, made in a press release on Tuesday, confirmed that the tournament’s organising committee had approved the revised dates after assessing the challenges surrounding preparations and the safe delivery of the competition.
The AFC said: “the Organising 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 new dates of the tournament will be presented to FIFA for approval.
“Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organisation 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 decision marks a significant shift from the position communicated by AFC president Sheikh Salman just last month, when he insisted preparations were continuing for the tournament to go ahead as planned.
At the time, concerns were already mounting over escalating hostilities involving a Saudi Arabia-led coalition and Yemen-based Houthi rebels. The security situation has since remained a major concern, with reports of missile and drone attacks targeting several locations in Saudi Arabia.
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was reportedly struck at least 20 times over an 11-day period, with the attacks said to have resulted in 17 deaths and more than 300 injuries.
The uncertainty has also affected football activities across the region. Last week, the previous AFC Champions League Elite fixture involving Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr and Emirati opponents Al Wasl was postponed after the visiting club declined to travel to Riyadh.
Al Nassr subsequently recorded a 6-2 away victory over Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor on Monday, although Cristiano Ronaldo was absent, with the official explanation being that the forward had been rested.
Meanwhile, Australia, the 2015 Asian Cup champions, had maintained their commitment to upcoming friendlies in the region. The Socceroos are scheduled to face Qatar in Doha on November 11 before travelling to Amman to meet Jordan six days later. However, the Australian camp stressed that it was “closely monitoring the situation.”
Saudi Arabia is preparing to host the Asian Cup for the first time in its history. The country is also scheduled to stage the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Riyadh is expected to play a central role in the tournament, with five of the eight designated stadiums located in the city. It is also scheduled to host 30 of the competition’s 51 matches, including the final at King Fahd Sports City Stadium.
The AFC’s decision means participating nations, officials and supporters will have to adjust their plans as organisers work towards delivering the tournament under the revised schedule. The new dates are still subject to FIFA approval.
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