AFC: Saudi Arabia men’s football Asian Cup postponed to December 2027

China News Service, Beijing, November 3. The AFC announced on the 3rd that the 2027 Men's Football Asian Cup, originally scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027, will be postponed to December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028.

The AFC said in a statement that due to the security situation, the 2027 Men's Asian Cup Organizing Committee has been allowed to readjust the event schedule. Taking into account the complexity of event preparations and transportation and other related issues, the new match date will be submitted to FIFA for approval.

It is reported that Saudi Arabia has suffered attacks in many places in recent days, and many domestic football matches in the country have been affected. The AFC pointed out that these special conditions have made it difficult to organize and operate the event during the originally scheduled season. For the benefit of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders, the postponement is necessary.

The AFC said it will continue to work closely with the local organizing committee, participating member associations, sponsors, broadcast and commercial partners and all stakeholders to organize an event that matches the status and operational standards of Asia's most prestigious men's national team event, while minimizing the impact of postponement.

It is reported that the 2027 Men's Football Asian Cup will be held in three cities in Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar. There are a total of 24 participating teams in this Asian Cup, divided into 6 groups. The top two teams in each group and the four third-placed teams with the best results will advance to the top 16. In the previous draw ceremony, the Chinese team was divided into Group C, and its opponents in the same group were Iran, Syria, and Kyrgyzstan.