Saudi Arabia ‘fully ready’ to host AFC Asian Cup despite 2027 postponement

Saudi Arabia was fully prepared to host the AFC Asian Cup 2027 before the tournament was postponed by a year, according to Yasser Al-Misehal, chairman of the tournament’s Local Organising Committee.

In a statement published on the competition’s official account, Al-Misehal said preparations to welcome Asia’s national teams and supporters in January had been completed in line with the approved plans.

“Saudi Arabia is fully ready to host the AFC Asian Cup, and our preparations to receive the continent’s teams and fans in January were complete according to the approved plans,” he said.

The tournament had been scheduled to begin in Saudi Arabia next January. However, the organising committee, in coordination with the Asian Football Confederation, has moved the competition to a new date.

It will now be held between 23 December 2027 and 21 January 2028.

Al-Misehal said the change to the schedule would not affect the work already carried out by the organisers.

“The rescheduling means the tournament will move to its new date, while our plans and preparations continue according to what has been approved,” he added.

He said the committee would maintain its current level of activity in the build-up to the rearranged tournament.

“We will continue working with the same momentum until the new tournament date in December 2027,” said Al-Misehal.

The decision to delay the competition comes amid regional instability linked to the US-Israeli war against Iran, alongside attacks on Saudi territory by the Houthis.

The AFC Asian Cup 2027 was due to feature 51 matches across eight stadiums in three Saudi cities.

Riyadh was scheduled to host five of the venues, with two in Jeddah and one in Al Khobar.

Al-Misehal also said the Local Organising Committee was working closely with the Asian Football Confederation and all other partners to deliver the event under the revised timetable.

“We are working closely with the Asian Football Confederation and all partners to ensure a complete, high-level organisational experience and to deliver an exceptional edition worthy of the status of Saudi Arabia and the AFC Asian Cup,” he said.

The committee formally announced the one-year postponement, moving the tournament from its planned January window to the period spanning late December 2027 and January 2028.