The AFC Asian Cup has been postponed to December 2027.

The new dates are expected to be moved from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, pending approval from the FIFA "FIFA".

 This decision ends months of speculation about the possibility of postponing the tournament, a proposal that the local organizing committee had rejected until recently.

Last week, Saudi officials announced match dates and the final schedule for the 2027 edition of the tournament, as a step aimed at reassuring continental federations that everything is proceeding as planned, despite the recent deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia carried out by Houthi militants backed by Iran.

">

The AFC issued a statement today, clarifying that it has decided to postpone the tournament, originally scheduled to start on January 7 with 24 teams participating, to December 23, 2027, after extensive consultations with the organizers in Saudi Arabia.

The AFC noted in its statement that the organizing committee "agreed to reschedule the most important tournament for national teams, given the current exceptional circumstances arising from events in the region, which have led to significant logistical complications and disruptions in travel."

The new dates are expected to be moved from December 23, 2027, to January 21, 2028, pending approval from FIFA.

 This decision ends months of speculation about the possibility of postponing the tournament, a proposal that the local organizing committee had rejected until recently.

Last week, Saudi officials announced match dates and the final schedule for the 2027 edition of the tournament, as a step aimed at reassuring continental federations that everything is proceeding as planned, despite the recent deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia carried out by Houthi militants backed by Iran.