Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia Moved to Late 2027 Over Regional Conflict
The AFC has postponed the 2027 tournament by 11 months. The new dates fall in a busy club calendar and still need Fifa approval.
The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia by 11 months because of the conflict in the Middle East. The new dates are not final until Fifa approves them.
Why Saudi Arabia was in doubt
Questions about the host began after an attack on Riyadh's international airport by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. A month of speculation followed before the AFC confirmed the move on Tuesday.
The fallout had already reached football beyond the tournament. National teams that were due to travel to Saudi Arabia in the November international window have had to relocate their friendlies.
The opening match had been set for 7 January 2027, and few countries seemed keen to take over with so little notice. Staying in Saudi Arabia on the original schedule carried serious risks in the current climate.
What the AFC says
The organising committee approved a reschedule "in light of the current exceptional circumstances" in the region. Its statement points to substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions. It says postponement was necessary in the interest of teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.
The proposed calendar
The new plan has the tournament opening on 23 December 2027 and ending with a final on 21 January 2028. That puts it in the Christmas break, one of the busiest stretches of European club football. Fifa must sign off on those dates.
Australia and Iraq in the same group
Coach Tony Popovic of Australia signed a short-term extension just before the World Cup. His deal ends after the tournament in its original January slot, so the delay could have ramifications for him. How that plays out is unclear.
Australia were due to face Tajikistan, Singapore and Iraq. Iraq's coach is Graham Arnold, who used to manage the Socceroos. Last month the Iraqi federation let him keep the job after his team's form dipped following its first World Cup qualification in 40 years.
Our View
Fifa approval is the next formal step, and the announcement does not say how Fifa will respond. For Popovic, the open point is whether his contract will be extended or left to expire around the original date.
Source: the Guardian