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Salem al-Dawsari, captain of the Saudi national team, during the final draw of the 2027 Asian Cup, in Diriyah, on the outskirts of Riyadh, on May 9, 2026. (Credit: Fayez Nureldine / AFP) Add as preferred on Google BEIRUT — The 2027 AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia next January, has been postponed by nearly a year amid regional tensions and repeated attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on the kingdom, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced Tuesday.Originally scheduled to begin on Jan. 7, 2027, with an opening match in Riyadh, the tournament, which features 24 national teams, will now take place from Dec. 23, 2027, to Jan. 21, 2028, the AFC said in a statement.The decision followed "thorough discussions and close consultations" with the local organizing committee and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). The AFC said the tournament's organizing committee had approved the postponement "in light of the current exceptional circumstances resulting from developments in the region, notably... You have reached your article limitStay informed about a Middle East in crisis.Subscribe for $0.5/month for the first 3 months. Subscribe now Log in This article is only available to L’Orient Today subscribers. Subscribe now Log in Create a free account to continue reading this article. You’ll also receive The Morning Brief, our must-read daily digest of Middle East news. Opt out anytime Email Address Password Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook
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