The 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been postponed following a series of deadly attacks on the host nation. Originally scheduled for early next year, the 24-team tournament will now take place from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028.
Tournament Rescheduled Amid Regional Conflict
The original dates for the competition were set from 7 January to 5 February. The postponement comes in the wake of an October missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Riyadh’s airport, which resulted in 13 deaths and more than 300 injuries.
According to a statement from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the decision to move the tournament was taken “in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions.” The organization added that the new dates will be presented to FIFA for approval.
Following the postponement of the Asian Cup, the Saudi Pro League decided to delay this week’s round of fixtures. League organizers stated that the rescheduling provides “additional flexibility” in the calendar to allow for a “more balanced distribution of fixtures” throughout the remainder of the season.
Several other sporting events in Saudi Arabia have faced cancellation or delay recently. The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition event in Riyadh was cancelled, and the Asian Tour indefinitely postponed its season-ending golf tournament that was scheduled for 18-21 November. This marks the second consecutive Asian Cup tournament to be delayed, following the 2023 edition which was moved to 2024 and relocated from China to Qatar due to the Covid pandemic.
Impact on Premier League Players
The rescheduling of the tournament means several Premier League players will no longer need to miss a portion of the current club season for international duty. Japan national team players expected to receive call-ups include Aston Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, and Ipswich Town forward Daizen Maeda.
Additional Japanese players affected by the original schedule include Leeds United’s Ao Tanaka, Crystal Palace pair Takehiro Tomiyasu and Daichi Kamada, and Hull City midfielder Hidemasa Morita. As one of the tournament favorites, Japan could have kept Suzuki away from Aston Villa for at least seven matches if the team reached the final, while Endo has yet to make an appearance for Liverpool this season.
Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma, who is currently recovering from an injury, was also likely to join the Japan squad upon his expected return later this year. Furthermore, Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov of Uzbekistan and Hull City and Australia defender Lucas Herrington would have anticipated international call-ups for the competition.
