The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia by nearly a year due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The decision follows a series of deadly attacks on the host country by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, including an attack on Riyadh’s international airport.
The 24-team tournament, originally scheduled for January 2027, has been pushed back 11 months. The proposed new dates are from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, although these dates must be approved by Fifa.
The AFC cited exceptional circumstances and travel disruptions for the move. The Asian Cup is the latest sporting event affected by the conflict; the Dakar Rally, the WTA Finals, and other golf, tennis, and motor sports events have already been cancelled or relocated. These developments test Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become a destination for major international events.