In response to hints about postponing the tournament
Amman2 min read
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The organizing committee for the AFC Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia next January, confirmed that it is "continuing its preparations to host the tournament," despite a series of Houthi attacks on the Kingdom.
The committee said in a statement on Thursday evening, "The committee clarifies that preparations are continuing in various organizational and operational aspects according to the approved schedule, including the readiness of facilities, amenities, and accompanying services, as part of efforts aimed at providing an integrated experience for participating teams, fans, and media from across the continent."
It added, "The local organizing committee renews its commitment to continue working and harnessing the necessary capabilities to make this continental event a success, and to present a tournament worthy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's status, while taking into account developments related to the tournament and creating the appropriate conditions for its success."
The 2027 Asian Cup is scheduled to kick off on January 7 in the cities of Jeddah, Riyadh, and Al-Khobar.
The President of the Asian Football Confederation, Bahraini Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, had previously said, "We are in no rush" to make a decision regarding the premier tournament for national teams in Asia.
In turn, the AFC President told journalists in Zurich on Wednesday regarding the decision on the fate of the Asian Cup, "We can wait until the end of November."
He added, "Situations can change very quickly for the better or worse in the region, and it is a matter of monitoring what will happen."
He continued, "But at the moment, we are monitoring the situation and everything is proceeding according to the set schedule."
A match for Saudi Al-Nassr, led by Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, in the AFC Champions League was delayed for an hour on Monday after the Saudi-led military coalition announced the interception of a missile launched towards Riyadh.
Three Saudi League matches were also postponed this week, including Al-Ahli vs. Al-Nassr.
The "Six Kings Slam" exhibition tennis tournament, in which Serbian Novak Djokovic, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, and German Alexander Zverev were scheduled to participate, was postponed until the end of December.
The Saudi International tournament, the final stop of the Asian Tour golf season, was also postponed without a new date being announced.
