Organizers of the Asian Cup have reaffirmed their commitment to staging the tournament in Saudi Arabia early next year, even as a deadly strike on Riyadh’s international airport throws the kingdom’s sporting calendar into uncertainty.
The attack on Saturday, claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement, killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300 — the deadliest strike on Saudi soil in more than a decade. In its wake, questions have mounted over whether the country can safely host major international events in the coming months.
Organizers Hold Firm on January Dates
The local organizing committee (LOC) said preparations remain on schedule for the tournament, which is slated to run from January 7 to February 5.
“Preparations across all organizational and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services,” the committee said in a statement.
The LOC added that it “will continue to monitor developments relevant to the tournament and ensure the appropriate conditions are in place for its successful delivery.”
Asian Football Chief Floats Possible Delay
The reassurances came after Asian soccer chief Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa suggested earlier this week that a postponement until 2028 was possible if circumstances required it. His comments marked the first public acknowledgment from a senior football official that the security situation could force a rethink of the timeline.
The organizing committee’s latest statement appears aimed at quelling speculation that the tournament could be pushed back, signaling that host authorities intend to press ahead with the original plan.
Sporting Calendar Already Disrupted
The fallout from the attacks has already reshaped Saudi Arabia’s sporting schedule.
- The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament has been moved from October to December.
- FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation on Thursday postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 to an unspecified future date.
The disruptions underscore the widening impact of the security crisis on a kingdom that has invested heavily in attracting global sporting events as part of a broader effort to diversify its economy and burnish its international image.
For now, Asian football officials appear to be betting that the situation will stabilize in time for the January kickoff — but with the region on edge, the coming weeks are likely to bring renewed scrutiny of those plans.
