Asian Cup stays on schedule as Saudi sporting disruption spreads
Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup organisers say preparations remain on schedule despite security concerns and the postponement of the FIFAe Finals, with the AFC keeping a possible delay until 2028 under consideration.
Saudi Arabia’s Asian Cup organisers are continuing preparations for January’s tournament despite attacks disrupting the country’s sporting calendar, while the Asian Football Confederation has left open the possibility of a year-long postponement.The local organising committee maintained that the 24-team competition remained on course for January 7 to February 5, as security concerns affect international participation and the logistical arrangements for other events.The committee said: “Preparations across all organisational and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services.”AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said organisers could wait until the end of November before deciding whether the competition needed to move.Sheikh Salman said: “Things can change very quickly for better or worse in the region, and it is a question of seeing what happens.“If we need to make a decision then we will, but we could move back a year to 2028 if we need to.“But at the moment we are monitoring the situation and everything is on schedule.”The Asian Cup is scheduled across Jeddah, Riyadh and Al Khobar, making security, transport and supporting services central to preparations in three host cities.A Houthi-claimed attack on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, intensifying concerns about international travel and event delivery.FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals, which were due to take place in Jeddah from October 16 to 25, without announcing replacement dates.The organisers said: “The decision follows an assessment of recent developments in the region and their impact on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament.“Further announcements on the FIFAe Finals will be communicated in due course.”Japan and Brazil had already withdrawn their esports teams after assessing conditions in the host country, demonstrating how participation decisions can affect an event before organisers formally change its schedule.The Jeddah postponement also extends the operational disruption beyond Riyadh, where the airport attack took place, adding uncertainty for a football tournament relying on several host locations.Three Saudi domestic football fixtures have been postponed, while an AFC Champions League match involving Al-Nassr was delayed following a missile interception.The Asian Tour has postponed the US$5m Saudi International golf tournament indefinitely, while the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition has moved from October to December.Australia has withdrawn its team from November’s urban cycling World Championships in Riyadh, citing athlete and staff safety, with its government advising travellers to reconsider visiting Saudi Arabia.Football authorities in Australia and South Korea are monitoring developments, while the Korea Professional Footballers Association has raised concerns about player safety.Association president Lee Keun-ho said: “The ongoing military tensions and security instability in the Middle East are issues that cannot be taken lightly.”A potential Asian Cup postponement leaves participating associations, broadcasters, sponsors and suppliers facing uncertainty over travel, accommodation, venue operations and commercial activity while preparations continue.The tournament also forms part of Saudi Arabia’s preparations for the 2034 World Cup, giving its delivery wider significance for the country’s investment in football infrastructure and international events.The previous Asian Cup moved back a year after China withdrew as hosts because of COVID-19 restrictions, with Qatar staging the competition in early 2024.Organisers now face a possible second consecutive edition being delayed, with the AFC identifying the end of November as the point until which it can wait before deciding on the January schedule.