Will Saudi Arabia postpone 2027 AFC Asian Cup due to Houthi attacks?

ALBAWABA - Unconfirmed reports circulated on social media amid escalation between the Houthi group and Saudi Arabia that Riyadh is planning to postpone the AFC Asian Cup, which is scheduled to take place in early 2027.

The AFC Asian Cup is expected to take place from January 7 to February 5. However, many said that if attacks by the Yemeni group continue, then Saudi Arabia will take a decision to delay it for a couple of months or even until the following year.

The AFC Asian Cup could be postponed till 2028 "if the need arises," according to a football official.

In addition, the president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Bahrain's Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, said the decision has not been taken yet, and there is "no rush" regarding the football tournament.

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup is currently set to begin on January 7, with matches to be hosted in the cities of Jeddah, Riyadh, and Al-Khobar.

Speaking to reporters in Zurich on Wednesday regarding the decision on the tournament's fate, Al Khalifa revealed, "We can wait until the end of November."