Due to travel delays and other logistical problems, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has decided to move the 2027 Asian Cup out of Saudi Arabia. Final approval from FIFA is still needed for the proposed dates of 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028.
«Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organisation and delivery of the Competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders,» the AFC said in a statement.
The AFC announced the 24-team tournament’s locations and start times just eight days prior to the decision. On 7 January, Saudi Arabia was to face Palestine in the opening match of the men’s Asian Cup, which they were hosting for the first time in Riyadh.
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🚨 #AsianCup2027 scheduled from January 7 to February 5, 2027 is now postponed. The new dates will be December 23, 2027 – January 21, 2028. READ 🔗 https://t.co/T2i7IzRZF5 https://t.co/J7iO8g2FDJ
— #AsianCup2027 (@afcasiancup) November 3, 2026
Matches in Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Riyadh were part of the original schedule that lasted until 5 February. While the AFC did announce a new tournament window, they did not specify when specific matches would take place.
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Uzbekistan’s January fixtures are off
Prior to their last match against Bahrain on 18 January, Uzbekistan was scheduled to play North Korea in Al Khobar on 13 January, and Jordan in Jeddah on 8 January, all scheduled for 2027. An updated schedule is now in the works, so fans will have to wait.
The national team still has a chance to face the hosts this month in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia on 17 November in Doha.
𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙚 𝙬𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚! Kick off times confirmed and we can look forward to some real mouthwatering match ups at #AsianCup2027! Which one catches your eye? 👀 https://t.co/VhIZ2E4hoH
— #AsianCup2027 (@afcasiancup) October 26, 2026
Uzbekistan reached the quarter-finals at the last Asian Cup, where it held hosts Qatar to a 1–1 draw before losing 3–2 on penalties.
Saudi Arabia keeps the Asian Cup
Two big sporting events have already rescheduled for January in Saudi Arabia; the Asian Cup is the latest. To avoid regional developments, the 2027 Dakar Rally will not be held in the kingdom, according to the organisers.
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Assuming the FIA World Motor Sport Council gives its blessing, the event will take place in Portugal and Morocco from 9 to 23 January. Even though the proposed schedule ends in 2028, Saudi Arabia will retain the Asian Cup, which will still carry the name 2027.
