The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia by 11 months, citing the ongoing wars in West Asia as the reason behind the delay.

In a statement on Tuesday, the AFC said that the 24-team tournament, originally scheduled to run from January 7 to February 5 next year, will now be held from December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028, subject to FIFA approval.

The decision came after weeks of uncertainty following an attack launched by Yemeni forces on Riyadh’s international airport in October, and was made following consultations with Saudi organizers.

The organization cited regional instability, serious logistical challenges and travel disruptions as reasons for the postponement.

“The organizing committee for AFC Asian Cup approved rescheduling the flagship national team tournament in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions,” the AFC said in its statement.

“Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organization and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders,” it added.

Last month, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa had said that the competitions could be postponed if necessary, while organizers at the time stressed that preparations were continuing according to schedule.

The proposed schedule now requires FIFA's approval, and if granted, would place the tournament, planned across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, in a particularly busy period for European club football.

Yemeni forces launch fresh missile strike on Riyadh’s international airport

King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital has been effectively shut down since a Yemeni missile strike on the facility killed at least 13 people on Saturday.

The Arab kingdom’s ability to host the tournament was thrown into doubt after the Riyadh airport attack, prompting a number of national teams scheduled to play friendlies in Saudi Arabia during the November international break to move those matches elsewhere.

Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Cup for the first time.

Travel disruptions and security concerns have also affected other sporting events in the Arab kingdom, prompting organizers to reschedule the Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh from October to December.