![AFC Asian Cup 2027 Postponed to December](https://cdn.slatesource.com/c/a/7/ca728b27-02df-4cff-a498-300f2f778890.webp) # AFC Asian Cup 2027 Postponed to December - [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/@steph/afc-asian-cup-2027-postponed-to-december) - By [Steph](https://slatesource.com/@steph) - Created on Nov 3, 2026 Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Lead to Asian Cup Delay10.10.2026 – 03.11.2026 07:00 10.10.2026Houthi missile and drone strike hits Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than 300 -- the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in over a decade 10.10.2026 12.10.2026A follow-up Houthi strike on the same airport kills one more and injures 11 12.10.2026 01.10.2026Houthi attacks on Saudi airports reach at least 20 strikes over 11 days; travel disruptions force cancellations of the Asian Tour Saudi International, WTA Finals (relocated to Indian Wells) and the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships 01.10.2026 27.10.2026AFC publicly insists the January 2027 Asian Cup will go ahead as planned despite security concerns 27.10.2026 03.11.2026 07:00AFC officially announces the tournament is postponed to December 2027 -- January 2028, citing "exceptional circumstances" and "substantial logistical complexities" 03.11.2026 07:00 [the-afc.com](https://www.the-afc.com/en/news?utm_source=slatesource) ## Asian Cup 2027 -- old and new schedule Detail Original Revised Start date 7 January 2027 23 December 2027 End date 5 February 2027 21 January 2028 Host Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (unchanged) Teams 24 24 (unchanged) Matches 52 52 (unchanged) FIFA approval needed N/A Yes -- pending [the-afc.com](https://www.the-afc.com/en/news?utm_source=slatesource) > No tournament's value can take precedence over the lives and safety of players and football fans. > > — sports.yahoo.com ## What the AFC decided and why The Asian Football Confederation announced the rescheduling on 3 November 2026 following "extensive discussions" with the Saudi local organising committee and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. • Official reason given: "exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions" • The AFC had held firm as recently as 27 October that the tournament would proceed in January; the reversal came days later as Houthi strikes continued • Saudi LOC chairman Yasser al-Misehal said preparations would "continue as planned" at the new dates • The revised schedule still requires FIFA approval before it is formally confirmed • Emirati club Al-Wasl had already refused to travel to Riyadh for an AFC Champions League Elite match, signalling the depth of travel concern among clubs Tournament AFC Asian Cup Teams 24 (all of Asia and Australasia) Matches 52 Original window 7 Jan -- 5 Feb 2027 New window 23 Dec 2027 -- 21 Jan 2028 Delay ~11.5 months Host cities Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Qobar World Cup link Saudi Arabia also hosts the 2034 FIFA World Cup [goal.com](https://www.goal.com/en-ae/news/asian-cup-2027-postponed-saudi-arabia/blt7321295d5bf6cbb2?utm_source=slatesource) What happens next 0% FIFA approves the new December 2027 dates AFC redraws the qualification calendar to fit the later window National team squads and coaching contracts updated for longer build-up (e.g. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic's deal due to expire at end of the original campaign) Saudi Arabia confirms venue readiness in the new window Security situation in region assessed ahead of 2034 World Cup hosting review [dawn.com](https://www.dawn.com/news/2041824/asian-cup-postponed-until-december-2027-afc-says?utm_source=slatesource) ## What is not yet confirmed • Russia has not commented on the Houthi attacks (unrelated to this story) -- no Russian angle applies • Whether FIFA will approve the new dates without modification is not yet known • The qualification group stage and playoff schedule reshuffle has not been announced • No decision on whether to relocate the tournament out of Saudi Arabia has been considered; the AFC confirmed Saudi Arabia remains the host [AFC official announcement](https://www.the-afc.com/en/news?utm_source=slatesource) [Gulf News -- Asian Cup postponed by almost a year](https://gulfnews.com/sport/saudi-arabias-2027-afc-asian-cup-postponed-by-almost-a-year-1.500733864?utm_source=slatesource) [Japan Times -- Asian Cup postponed amid Saudi unrest](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/11/03/soccer/asian-cup-postponed/?utm_source=slatesource) [Yahoo Sports -- Asian Cup latest event in Saudi Arabia to be postponed](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/asian-cup-latest-event-saudi-073159527.html?utm_source=slatesource) Sources: AFC official statement (3 Nov 2026); Gulf News; Japan Times; Yahoo Sports / AP; Goal.com; Dawn (Pakistan). Attack death toll from Al Jazeera and Washington Post reporting on the 10-11 Oct 2026 Riyadh airport strikes. Figures for cancelled events from Yahoo Sports. FIFA approval status from AFC press release language.