AFC Asian Cup: AFC Open to Pushing Saudi 2027 Tournament Back to 2028

Salman says decision can wait until end of November as Riyadh airport attacks cloud preparations

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has left the door open to moving the 2027 Asian Cup to 2028, after attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh led to the rescheduling of several sporting events in Saudi Arabia.

AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said there was no need to rush a decision. Speaking to reporters in Zurich, Switzerland, on the sidelines of the FIFA Council meeting, he said the confederation could wait until the end of November.

“We can wait until the end of November,” Salman said. “The situation in the region can change quickly, for better or for worse. We need to monitor developments.”

He added that the AFC would act if it had to. “If a decision has to be made, we will make it. But if necessary, we can postpone the tournament by one year, to 2028. We are monitoring the current situation and, for now, everything is going according to plan.”

The comments follow missile attacks on the airport over the weekend, which the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for. Saudi officials said at least 14 people were killed and more than 300 wounded across two incidents.

The Asian Cup is scheduled to run from 7 January to 5 February 2027. The final draw, originally planned for Riyadh in April, was postponed indefinitely earlier this year because of the wider regional conflict.

Football associations in participating countries have begun to react. South Korea’s football association said it was in close contact with the AFC and monitoring the situation, while Football Australia said it was following developments closely.

Credit Photo : AFC