"Preparations remain on schedule," Saudi organisers say on 2027 Asian Cup after Houthi attacks
The tournament is scheduled to begin on January 7 across Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar
Sports Desk
The Sports Desk is the editorial team responsible for covering the latest news, updates, and analysis from the world of sports. Our team of experienced writers and journalists bring you in-depth coverage of local and international sports events, player profiles, and expert opinions.
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa says a final decision on the tournament’s schedule could come by the end of November.
AFP
Saudi organisers have said preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia remain on schedule despite Houthi attacks and speculation that the continent’s premier football tournament could be postponed.
The competition is scheduled to begin on January 7 across Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar.
Yes, Saudi Arabia’s local organising committee says preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup are continuing as planned as they are working with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and other stakeholders.
In a statement issued late Thursday, the committee said preparations remained on schedule and that it was committed to delivering the competition to Saudi Arabia’s expected standards.
Why is the 2027 Asian Cup facing postponement speculation?
Concerns over the tournament have grown following sustained attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iran-backed Houthi group, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict.
Several sporting events, including domestic football matches, have been postponed in recent days. The developments have raised questions about whether Saudi Arabia will be able to host the Asian Cup as planned in January 2027.
The local organising committee said it would continue monitoring developments relevant to the competition and ensure the necessary conditions were in place for its successful delivery.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to keeping preparations on track and providing the resources required to host the tournament.
Could the 2027 Asian Cup be postponed to 2028?
AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa said on Wednesday that a final decision on the tournament’s schedule could wait until the end of November.
He said the competition could be moved back a year to 2028 if necessary, but stressed that there was no immediate need to decide.
“We could move back a year to 2028 if we need to,” he said.
“But at the moment we are monitoring the situation and everything is on schedule.”
For now, Saudi organisers maintain that preparations are proceeding as planned, while the AFC continues to assess the situation.
Comments
See what people are discussing