Riyadh (GNP): Saudi Arabia is pressing ahead with preparations for the 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup. Organisers are sticking to the original schedule despite growing security concerns after recent attacks in the kingdom.
The local organising committee (LOC) said on Friday that preparations were moving according to plan. It added that it would keep monitoring developments and make sure the necessary conditions are in place for a successful tournament.
The competition is due to run from 7 January to 5 February 2027. Even so, AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said earlier this week that a postponement until 2028 remained possible if circumstances required it. The final arrangements will therefore depend on developments and on the conditions needed to stage the event safely.
The concerns follow an attack on Riyadh’s international airport, which reportedly killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attack, which was described as the deadliest in Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.
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The security situation has already disrupted other events in the kingdom’s sporting calendar. The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament has been moved from October to December. FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation also announced on Thursday that the FIFAe Finals 2026 had been postponed until a date yet to be set.
Against that backdrop, the Asian Cup organisers have taken a different line by holding to their timetable. The LOC said, “Preparations across all organisational and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule.”
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
