AFC reschedules 2027 Asian Cup draw to May 9 in Riyadh

RIYADH: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has moved the draw for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia to May 9 in Riyadh after conflict in the Middle East disrupted sporting schedules across the region, the confederation said on Wednesday.

The draw had initially been planned for April 11. It will now be held at the At-Turaif District in Diriyah, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

According to the AFC, the delay was intended to ensure full participation by all member associations and key stakeholders, as travel restrictions and security concerns affected movement in several countries.

The confederation said rising tensions in recent weeks, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, contributed to broader instability in the region. That situation affected airspace access, logistics and the scheduling of international sporting events.

Several football federations encountered problems in finalising travel plans, while some regional competitions were postponed or cancelled because of safety concerns.

The AFC said it had coordinated with host nation Saudi Arabia and the participating associations before confirming the revised date. It said the decision was made in the interest of fairness and operational stability ahead of the tournament draw.

Tournament schedule and format

Saudi Arabia will host the 24-team continental championship for the first time. The tournament is scheduled to run from January 7 to February 5.

The competition, held every four years, will bring together teams from across Asia over nearly a month. With 23 of the 24 places already decided, the draw will place the qualified sides into six groups of four for the group stage.

The final remaining berth will be settled on June 4, when Lebanon take on Yemen in a playoff.

Qualified teams

Defending champions Qatar have already booked their place in the finals. They will be joined by four-time winners Japan and fellow World Cup qualifiers South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Australia and Uzbekistan, all of whom are expected to be among the main contenders.

The AFC said preparations for the tournament remain on course despite the uncertainty in the region.

The AFC said the postponement was made to ensure the full participation of all member associations and key stakeholders.

The rescheduled draw will now set the path to the group stage of the 2027 Asian Cup, with the final line-up to be completed after the Lebanon-Yemen playoff in June.