Saudi Arabia has insisted that preparations for next January's Asian Cup remain on schedule, even as AFC president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa acknowledged the tournament could be pushed back to 2028 amid ongoing attacks by Yemeni-based Houthi rebels.
In remarks reported by AFP, Al Khalifa told reporters in Zurich that the tournament could be moved "if we need to," but that any decision would not be needed until late November. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 7 to February 5, with games across Jeddah, Riyadh and Al-Khobar. A Saudi-led coalition reports that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has sustained at least 20 strikes over the past 11 days, alongside dozens of other airports, oil facilities and ports. The coalition says 17 people have been killed and more than 300 injured.
In a statement, the local organising committee said preparations "remain on schedule" and continue in close coordination with the AFC. Concerns have grown across Asia, with Australia's players' union, the PFA, raising safety concerns and South Korea's players' union expressing "serious concern regarding the safety of all players." The Palestinian Football Association, however, affirmed its confidence in Saudi Arabia's ability to host.
The hostilities have already affected other events. Al-Nassr's Asian Champions League Elite match against Neftchi Fergana was delayed by an hour after a missile fired towards Riyadh was intercepted, three more Saudi Pro League fixtures were moved, and the Six Kings Slam tennis event was pushed from October to December.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing