Asian Cup organizers finalize schedule for 2027 tournament in Saudi Arabia

The monthlong tournament will begin on Jan 7, with hosts Saudi Arabia facing Palestine in Group A at 8 pm local time in Riyadh.

Muhammed Q. Alghamdi, a spokesman for the organizing committee, told an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting in Tokyo last week that daily life in Saudi Arabia was continuing despite regional tensions.

He said organizers remained committed to ensuring the tournament proceeded as planned.

The competition will feature 24 teams playing across eight venues in three cities — Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar.

Iran, drawn in Group C alongside Syria, China and Kyrgyzstan, will begin its campaign against China at 4:30 pm local time on Jan 9 at Riyadh's 26,000-seat Kingdom Arena. Australia will open its Group D campaign against Singapore in Khobar earlier that day.

The final is scheduled for Feb 5 at the 72,000-seat King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.

The AFC said the finalized schedule considered commercial and broadcasting requirements, local arrangements, spectator attendance and efforts to improve the fan experience.

However, security concerns have disrupted several sporting events in the region. An AFC Champions League match between Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana was delayed on Oct 12 following a security alert issued by Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense.

Al-Nassr's scheduled home match against the United Arab Emirates' Al-Wasl on Monday was also postponed.

Other events have been relocated or cancelled. The WTA Finals, women's tennis's season-ending tournament, was moved from Riyadh to Indian Wells, California. Meanwhile, the International Cycling Union cancelled a BMX qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, reports UNB.