The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the 2027 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia will be moved from January to December amid ongoing regional conflict.
According to the AFC's announcement, the 24-team tournament, originally due to kick off in Riyadh on January 7, 2027, will now begin on December 23, 2027, and run until January 21, 2028.
The decision followed "extensive discussions and close consultations with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF)."
The Asian Cup organizing committee said the rescheduling came "in light of the exceptional circumstances arising from regional developments, including significant logistical complexities and travel disruptions."
Saudi Arabia has repeatedly come under attack from Yemen's Houthi forces since September, with the capital Riyadh among the cities targeted by missiles. The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said on October 30 that it had "intercepted and destroyed" a drone launched by the Houthis toward Saudi Arabia's Mecca region. There were earlier reports that a missile aimed at western Saudi Arabia was shot down as fighting between Yemen's Riyadh-backed government and the Iran-backed Houthis continued to escalate.
In recent weeks, the fate of the tournament had been called into question as several participating nations raised concerns about the security situation.
The AFC said that although "exceptional circumstances" had affected the organization and delivery of the tournament on its original schedule, postponing it was necessary "in the interests of all participating teams, officials, fans and other stakeholders."
According to the AFC, the new match schedule will be submitted to FIFA for approval by world football's governing body.
