The 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been postponed by almost a year, with the tournament now scheduled to take place from December 23 2027, to January 21 2028, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Tuesday.
The competition had originally been scheduled for January 7 to February 5 2027, but the governing body said exceptional circumstances in the region had made it necessary to revise the calendar.
The AFC cited security developments, substantial logistical challenges and travel disruptions in explaining the decision.
"The organising committee for AFC Asian Cup approved to reschedule the flagship national team tournament in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region," the confederation said in a statement.
The revised dates will be submitted to FIFA for approval, it added.
Regional tensions drive postponement
The decision follows growing concerns over security in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militia has targeted Saudi infrastructure, including airports, in recent weeks.
The Houthis are fighting a Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognised government in a conflict that reignited in July following a years-long truce.
The AFC said the postponement followed extensive discussions and close consultation with Saudi officials.
"Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organisation and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders," it said.
Saudi cities Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar are scheduled to host the month-long tournament.
The AFC had faced increasing pressure from national football associations over the safety of players and supporters. South Korea's professional footballers' association was among those expressing serious reservations about holding the competition early next year.
"The ongoing military tensions and security instability in the Middle East are issues that cannot be taken lightly," association president Lee Keun-ho said last month, according to Yonhap News Agency.
He added that no tournament's value could take precedence over the lives and safety of players and fans.
Saudi organisers pledge to continue preparations
Yasser al-Misehal, chairman of the local organising committee, said Saudi Arabia remained fully prepared to host the competition on the revised dates.
"The tournament will move to the new dates, and our preparations will continue as planned," he told the Saudi Press Agency.
He said organisers would continue working with the AFC and other partners to ensure the tournament met the standards expected of Saudi Arabia and the Asian Cup.
The postponement comes amid a wider reshuffling of international sporting events in the kingdom. The 2027 Dakar Rally was moved out of Saudi Arabia last month, while an exhibition tennis tournament featuring Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev was postponed.
The WTA Finals, originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh, were also moved to Indian Wells in the United States. Domestic football fixtures and Asian Champions League matches have likewise been affected by regional tensions.
Saudi organisers had insisted last month that the Asian Cup remained on schedule, despite mounting uncertainty over the security situation.
