Saudi organisers say 2027 Asian Cup preparations continue; AFC keeps postponement option open

Saudi Arabia says preparations on for 2027 AFC Asian cup Saudi Arabia has said preparations for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, due to begin on 7 January in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, remain on schedule despite escalating Houthi attacks on the kingdom. The tournament's local organising committee said that work was continuing in coordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), amid concerns over escalation in fighting that has led to postponement of several sporting events. AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said on Wednesday that a final decision could wait until the end of November and "we could move back a year to 2028 if we need to".

The 2027 Asian Cup is scheduled to kick off on Jan 7 in Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar, but concerns have arisen following Houthi attacks on the country.

The Asian Cup in January is "on schedule", Saudi Arabian organisers said, after growing fears for the tournament following Houthi attacks on the country. The continent's top football official said this week that the competition could be postponed to 2028, while stressing there was "no hurry" to make a decision. The 2027 Asian Cup is supposed to kick off on January 7 in the Saudi cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar.

The 2027 Asian Cup is supposed to kick off on Jan 7 in the Saudi cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on January 7 but could be moved by a year if needed, AFC president says.

The Asian Cup scheduled for January in Saudi Arabia could be moved back a year to 2028 "if we need to", the continent's top football official said, following a series of Houthi attacks on the country. But AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa also said they were in "no hurry" to make a decision over Asia's premier football tournament. The 2027 Asian Cup is supposed to kick off on January 7 in the Saudi cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar.

The Asian Cup scheduled for January in Saudi Arabia could be moved back a year to 2028 "if we need to", the continent's top football official said, following a series of Houthi attacks on the country."If we need to make a decision then we will, but we could move back a year to 2028 if we need to.