Asian Cup May Be Postponed to 2028 Amid Houthi Attacks

The Lead

The Asian Football Confederation has indicated that the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, scheduled for January 7–February 5 in Saudi Arabia, could be delayed by a year if security deteriorates amid recent Houthi attacks, though no final decision is expected before the end of November.

Article Body

Decision Looms as Security Risks Rise

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup remains on the calendar for January 7 through February 5 across Saudi host cities—Jeddah, Riyadh and Al‑Khobar—but mounting security threats from recent Houthi missile and drone attacks have thrust the tournament’s timetable into doubt. Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa signaled on October 15 that while a one‑year postponement to 2028 is under consideration, organizers are adopting a cautious “no hurry” approach and intend to wait until the end of November before making a final call. The shift in tone comes amid a violent escalation: Houthi strikes have directly hit civilian infrastructure, including a missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that killed at least 13 people and wounded around 300. These attacks have already disrupted other sporting events, prompting delays or postponements of domestic football matches, an AFC Champions League fixture, and the high‑profile Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition. National football bodies, including those from South Korea and Australia, have expressed serious safety concerns and are closely monitoring developments. Their responses underline the growing urgency facing the AFC and host authorities. The focal point now centers on whether the security situation will stabilize before late November. A deteriorating environment would likely force the AFC to postpone the tournament to 2028; a tangible improvement, however, may allow the competition to proceed as scheduled.

Sources & Notes

1. Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia could be postponed by a year amid Houthi attacks ↩