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The 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia could be postponed to 2028 if regional security concerns persist, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said Thursday.
Speaking to reporters in Zurich, Sheikh Salman said the governing body was closely following developments in the region and could hold off on making a final decision until the end of November, according to Saudi newspaper Arriyadiyah.
"The situation is changing very quickly, for better or worse, in the region, and it's a matter of monitoring developments," he said.
"If we need to make a decision, we will. But we can postpone the tournament by a year to 2028 if necessary," he added.
The Asian Cup, the continent's leading international men's football tournament, is scheduled to kick off on Jan. 7, 2027, with Saudi Arabia hosting matches across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.
Sheikh Salman emphasized that the AFC was not rushing into a decision and that preparations remained on track despite the uncertainty.
The possibility of postponement comes as regional developments have already affected Saudi football. Earlier this week, the Saudi league postponed three ninth-round fixtures, including Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr match against Al Ahli.
The uncertainty follows renewed fighting involving the Houthis, an armed movement that took control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014.
A Saudi-led coalition began fighting the group in 2015, before the sides agreed to a ceasefire in 2022. However, the truce broke down in July 2026, bringing renewed hostilities.
Alongside attacks in Yemen, the Houthis have recently targeted Saudi facilities, including energy infrastructure and airports, causing casualties and material damage.
Despite these developments, the AFC has not announced any changes to the tournament schedule, with a potential decision expected after further monitoring of regional conditions.
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