Asian Cup 2027 draw postponed indefinitely amid Middle East war

Asian Cup 2027 draw postponed indefinitely amid Middle East war
Thursday 26 March 2026 - 18:06

The draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, initially scheduled for April 11 in Saudi Arabia, has been postponed indefinitely due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the Asian Football Confederation announced Thursday.

The continental body did not provide a new date for the draw, citing the need to ensure the participation of all stakeholders without disruption. The event had been set to take place in Riyadh.

The decision comes as Asian club competitions have also faced disruptions linked to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran and its impact on Gulf countries.

In a statement, the AFC said the postponement followed “careful consideration” of the current situation, adding that updates on new arrangements for the final draw would be announced “in due course.”

The 19th edition of the Asian Cup is scheduled to be held from Jan. 7 to Feb. 5, 2027, with matches taking place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar.

A total of 24 teams are set to participate in the tournament, divided into six groups of four.

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