AFC postpones Asian Cup till December 2027
The 2027 Asian Cup, scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in early 2027, has been postponed until December next year, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Tuesday (Nov 3). It will now take place from Dec 23, 2027, to Jan, 21, 2028.In a statement on its website, AFC said this was in light of the "current exceptional circumstances" arising from developments in the region, including what it described as "substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions".It said that the decision was made following extensive discussions and close consultations with the local organising committee of the 2027 Asian Cup and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.The decision comes about two weeks after organisers, responding to increasing concerns over the safety of players and fans, said it is coordinating closely with the AFC.AFC President Sheikh Salman Ibrahim Al Khalifa told media in Zurich that —if necessary — the Asian Cup could be postponed by one year.