A strike on Riyadh’s international airport last month killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, with the Houthi movement claiming responsibility for the deadliest attack in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.
The attacks have continued, with the Houthis saying on Monday they had launched drones towards Dammam airport, raising more questions over whether the Asian Cup could go ahead as scheduled from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5.
On Tuesday, the AFC said the 24-team tournament would now take place from Dec. 23 next year to Jan. 21, 2028.
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A giant AFC Asian Cup trophy is displayed before a match in Qatar in 2024. Photo by Reuters |
The competition’s organizing committee said the tournament had been rescheduled in light of the “exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions”.
“The new dates of the tournament will be presented to FIFA for approval,” it added.
“Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organization and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.”
Saudi ‘fully prepared’ to host
Yasser Al-Misehal, head of the local organizing committee for the Asian Cup, said Saudi Arabia had been fully prepared to host the tournament as scheduled.
“We will continue our work with the same momentum leading up to the tournament’s new dates in December 2027,” Al-Misehal told the Saudi state news agency.
“We are working closely with the AFC and all our partners to ensure a seamless, high-standard organizational experience, and to deliver an exceptional edition worthy of both the kingdom’s stature and the AFC Asian Cup.”
The Saudi government has invested heavily in sport through its Public Investment Fund in recent years and the Asian Cup was pitched as an early rehearsal for hosting the World Cup in 2034.