AFC postpones 2027 Asian Cup to December amid regional turmoil

The tournament is now set to take place in three Saudi cities - Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar from December 23, 2027 to January 21, 2028, instead of the January 7 - February 5, 2027 schedule. The revised dates will be submitted to FIFA for approval

The continental governing body announced the decision on November 3 following consultations with the tournament’s Organising Committee and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

In its announcement, the AFC said the decision has been taken in light of exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, which have created significant logistical difficulties and disrupted travel. The postponement was deemed necessary to protect the interests of participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders.

Regional conflict and security concerns have intensified pressure on travel and transport infrastructure. Riyadh, one of the three host cities, experienced significant disruption to air travel in October.

The postponement will affect participating football teams, including Vietnam, whose group-stage fixtures have been finalised only in late October.

Vietnam have been drawn in Group E and they were scheduled to play the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 11 and the Republic of Korea on January 15 in Riyadh, before traveling to Jeddah to take on Yemen on January 20.

However, the AFC's November 3 announcement confirmed only the revised dates for the tournament as a whole. New dates for Vietnam's three group-stage matches have yet to be released.

Vietnam will therefore need to adjust their preparations once the revised fixture schedule is confirmed.

AFC names Quang Hai among players to watch at Asian Cup 2027

VOV.VN - The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has highlighted four Southeast Asian players to watch at the coming AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia, including Vietnam’s Nguyen Quang Hai.