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Asian Cup postponed due to unrest in Saudi Arabia

ABC News Australia •
November 03, 2026 • 06:24 AM
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The men's Asian Cup, in which the Socceroos are among the heavy favourites, has been postponed until December 2027 due to unrest in the host nation, Saudi Arabia.

Asian Cup postponed due to unrest in Saudi Arabia

The Socceroos will have to wait until December 2027 to have a crack at the Asian Cup. ( Getty Images: Albert Perez )

The Socceroos will have to wait another year for the chance to win a second Asian Cup, with the 2027 tournament postponed by nearly a year.

Scheduled to be played in Saudi Arabia in January and February of 2027, the tournament will now be played from December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028.

The new dates are pending approval from FIFA.

The decision has been forced by unrest within Saudi Arabia, with Yemen's Iran-allied Houthis claiming responsibility for a series of attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities.

"The Organising Committee for AFC Asian Cup approved to reschedule 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," an AFC statement read.

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Same Story from Other Publications

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The Guardian
1w ago
AFC postpones Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to late 2027 due to conflict in Middle East

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