Asian Cup organizers said Friday that the continental soccer championship scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia in early 2027 remains on track, despite a wave of missile and drone attacks on the host country in recent days. The Saudi organizing committee issued a statement saying it is continuing to coordinate closely with the Asian Football Confederation. The tournament is scheduled for Jan. 7-Feb. 5.
"Preparations across all organizational and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services," Saudi organizers said. "The focus remains on delivering a world-class tournament experience for participating teams, fans and media from across Asia, while bringing the continent together through football."
South Korea's Professional Footballers' Association had earlier expressed concerns following a series of attacks on the host country by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. "The continued military tensions and security instability in the Middle East are issues that can never be taken lightly," said Lee Keun-ho, head of the South Korean player union. "The safety of our national team, as well as all players participating in the Asian Cup, is a serious concern."
At least 19 people, including foreigners, have been killed in more than a week of Houthi attacks targeting the Riyadh international airport, the headquarters of Saudi oil giant Aramco, and other aviation, oil and military facilities across the kingdom.
South Korea, a World Cup semifinalist in 2002, is set to open its Asian Cup campaign against Yemen on Jan. 10, but only if it is deemed safe to do so, according to Lee. "No competition's value can take precedence over the lives and safety of players and football fans," he said. "If safety cannot be sufficiently guaranteed, all possibilities -- including whether the tournament should be held -- must be carefully reviewed."
An AFC Champions League match between Al-Nassr and Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana was delayed this week in Riyadh after Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense issued a security alert.
AFC Leaves Door Open for Postponement
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa told media in Zurich this week that the Asian Cup could be postponed by a year if necessary. "We can wait until the end of November" to make a decision, Salman said. "Things can change very quickly for better or worse in the region, and it is a question of seeing what happens. If we need to make a decision, then we will, but we could move it back a year to 2028 if we need to."
Several sports events previously scheduled in Saudi Arabia this year have already been moved or canceled. The WTA Finals, the season-ending event in women's tennis, was relocated from Riyadh to Indian Wells, California. On Friday, a BMX cycling qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was also canceled, according to the International Cycling Union.
