AFC Asian Cup 2027 may be postponed to January 2028?
A 12-month delay is seen as the likelier fallback than a change of host if the Saudi-Houthi conflict does not ease, according to AAP; the AFC has made no public statement, but an official reportedly expects clarity by mid-November.
The AFC Asian Cup could be pushed back 12 months, from January 2027 to January 2028, if the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi rebels does not ease over the next few months, according to AAP. No postponement has been announced, but Houthi attacks on Riyadh's main airport have raised doubts over whether the tournament will start as planned in the kingdom on 7 January.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has not responded publicly to the concerns, and it is unclear whether contingency plans exist. An AFC official has reportedly indicated that the picture should be clear by the second week of November. Football Australia (FA) says it is closely monitoring the situation.
Saudi officials say at least 14 people were killed and more than 300 wounded over the weekend in attacks on King Khalid International Airport, which Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed. The airport was struck four times in five days, with the deadliest attack on Saturday, according to Al Jazeera's reporting. Saudi Arabia has promised to retaliate.
Etihad and Qatar Airways have postponed flights to Riyadh. The airport is closed until 17 October, although other outlets said it would stay shut until further notice.
Australia's DFAT is advising citizens to reconsider their need to travel to Saudi Arabia because of the security situation.
According to AAP, a 12-month delay to January 2028 is the likelier scenario if the conflict between the Saudis and the Houthis does not dissipate over the next few months. Stripping Saudi Arabia of hosting rights and relocating the tournament at short notice is considered unlikely.
A delay would have a flow-on effect for several federations, including Australia. AAP notes that Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has a contract with FA until the 2027 Asian Cup, but it is unclear whether it would roll on a further 12 months if the tournament were delayed.
The tournament is scheduled for 7 January to 5 February. Five of the eight venues, including the final, are in Riyadh, and Australia's opener against Singapore is set for Al Khobar on 9 January, according to Australian media. Twenty-three visiting teams are due to travel.
Australian media report that the Socceroos are in Group D with Iraq, Singapore and Tajikistan. Iraq are coached by Graham Arnold, a former Socceroos boss.
Popovic extended his deal in June, on the eve of the World Cup, to take him through the Asian Cup, according to ABC. He has since said he turned down a four-year offer in favour of a shorter one, which he said leaves FA free to change direction afterwards. That leaves the length of any extension an open question if the tournament slipped to 2028.
AAP also notes that Australia last won the Asian Cup in 2015 under Ange Postecoglou. He now coaches Al Nassr, the Riyadh club whose match was delayed by the missile alert.
In a statement of FFA spokesperson said the governing body is closely monitoring developments, with its security team providing regular updates. Player, staff and supporter safety remains paramount, he added, and risk assessment will be a key focus of preparations for January.
Beau Busch, chief executive of Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), said the thoughts of the players' union are with those affected. Safety, he said, must be “the priority and the central consideration” in planning the tournament. The PFA and global players' union FIFPRO are monitoring the situation and are in close contact with FA and outside experts.
The concern is already affecting matches. Al Nassr's AFC Champions League Elite game on Monday, which pits Ange Postecoglou's side, with Cristiano Ronaldo, against Neftchi, was delayed by an hour after a security alert caused by an intercepted Houthi missile.
The Jeddah Grand Prix was cancelled in April, while the World Rally Championship has dropped its Saudi Arabia event planned for November.
South Korea's football federation is “reviewing multiple scenarios” for the senior men's team's November friendly in Saudi Arabia. Australia, meanwhile, plays Qatar in Doha and Jordan in Amman in the same window, and FA security experts are already assessing the risks.
FIFA will also be following developments closely, as Saudi Arabia is due to host the 2034 World Cup.
Credit Photo : AFC
