Asian Cup postponed until December 2027, says AFC

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia due to exceptional circumstances in the region. Originally scheduled to take place from January 7 to February 5 next year, the 24-team tournament will now be held from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028. The new dates will be presented to FIFA for approval.

Free Malaysia Today reports the postponement follows recent attacks on the kingdom, including a strike on Riyadh's international airport last month that killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. The Houthi movement, which is aligned with Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack. The National UAE notes that the Houthis have launched multiple drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, with King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh sustaining at least 20 strikes over an 11-day period.

The organizing committee cited substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions as reasons for the rescheduling, according to Free Malaysia Today, New Straits Times, and The National UAE. New Straits Times reports the decision to move the tournament back nearly a year followed extensive discussions and consultation between Saudi officials and the AFC. The competition is set to be staged in the Saudi cities of Jeddah, Riyadh, and Al Khobar.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Free Malaysia Today, New Straits Times, Ajel English, The National UAE — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.