Asian Cup In Saudi Arabia Postponed Until December 2027, Organisers Say
A number of sports events in Saudi Arabia have been cancelled or postponed in recent weeks following Houthi attacks on the country.
Recommended For YouThe Asian Cup was originally scheduled to take place from January 7 to February 5 next year.
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The new dates for the continental showpiece are December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028.
"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 Asian Football Confederation said in a statement.
The AFC also cited "substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions".
"The new dates of the tournament will be presented to FIFA for approval," it added.
Local organisers insisted last month that the Asian Cup was "on schedule", despite growing fears for the fate of the tournament because of the security concerns in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East.
The Saudi cities of Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar are set to stage the month-long competition.
The decision to move the tournament back almost a year came after "extensive discussions and close consultation" between Saudi officials and the AFC, the Kuala Lumpur-based governing body said.
"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.
Following the announcement of the postponement, Yasser al-Misehal, chairman of the local organising committee, vowed that Saudi Arabia was "fully ready".
"The tournament will move to the new dates, and our preparations will continue as planned," he told the Saudi Press Agency.
"We're working closely with the AFC and all our partners to make sure the tournament runs smoothly and meets the high standards expected of Saudi Arabia and the Asian Cup."
The 2027 Dakar Rally was moved out of Saudi Arabia last month following similar safety concerns.
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