AFC Asian Cup 2027 Postponed to December
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 will now be played from December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028, after the Asian Football Confederation moved the tournament from its original January dates. The confederation announced the change on Tuesday, November 3, following recent attacks on host nation Saudi Arabia.
The 24-team tournament had been scheduled for January 7 to February 5, 2027, in Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar. The AFC said the new dates will be presented to FIFA for approval.
The competition’s organising committee said the tournament had been rescheduled in light of the “exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions”. It added that the postponement was necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.
A strike on Riyadh’s international airport last month killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, with Yemen’s Houthi movement claiming responsibility for the attack. Dawn described it as the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade. The Houthis said on Monday that they had launched drones towards Dammam airport, raising fresh questions over whether the tournament could still go ahead as planned.
Yasser Al-Misehal, head of the local organising committee, said Saudi Arabia had been fully prepared to host the tournament as scheduled. “We will continue our work with the same momentum leading up to the tournament’s new dates in December 2027,” he told the Saudi state news agency. He added that organisers were working closely with the AFC and all partners to deliver an edition worthy of the kingdom’s stature and the AFC Asian Cup.
AFC Asian Cup 2027: why the dates moved
The postponement follows a run of disruption to sport in Saudi Arabia. Golf’s Asian Tour postponed the Saudi International indefinitely, while cycling’s Urban World Championships were cancelled. The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh moved from October to December, and FIFA postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in Jeddah until an unspecified future date.
Not all sport in the kingdom has been called off. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez beat Christian Mbilli in a world title bout in Riyadh on Saturday, showing that events can still go ahead when organisers judge conditions workable.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sport through its Public Investment Fund in recent years. The Asian Cup was pitched as an early rehearsal for hosting the World Cup in 2034. Saudi Arabia have won the Asian Cup three times but have never hosted the continental tournament.
What the delay means for fans and teams
The move shifts the tournament by almost a year, from the start of 2027 to the end of it. Teams, broadcasters and supporters must now rework plans built around the January window, while the AFC must secure FIFA approval for the December dates before the calendar is final.
For readers in Pakistan, the continental calendar stays busy in the meantime. Pakistan’s Shaheens, the defending champions, begin their Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign against the United Arab Emirates on November 20, led by Samad, as reported here: Samad to lead Shaheens in Asia Cup Rising Stars. The full schedule for that tournament is here: Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 schedule. In world football, Harry Kane said he would trade his Ballon d’Or for Champions League glory, as reported here: Harry Kane would trade Ballon d’Or for Champions League trophy.
What happens next
The next formal step is FIFA approval of the new dates. The Saudi organising committee says it will continue its work at the same pace, and further details on the revised schedule will follow from the AFC.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Asian Cup 2027 now be played?
The tournament will run from December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028.
Why was the tournament postponed?
The AFC cited exceptional circumstances in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions, after recent attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Where will the matches be played?
Matches are set for Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia.
Do the new dates need approval?
Yes. The AFC said the new dates will be presented to FIFA for approval.
Has Saudi Arabia hosted the Asian Cup before?
No. Saudi Arabia have won the Asian Cup three times but have never hosted the tournament.
