Yasser Al-Musahl Confirms Saudi Readiness to Host 2027 Asian Cup

Yasser Al-Masahl, head of the local organizing committee for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, confirmed that Saudi Arabia was fully prepared to host the tournament next January, with preparations to welcome the national teams and fans completed in accordance with approved plans.

Speaking to the Saudi Press Agency, Al-Masahl said, “The Kingdom is fully ready to host the Asian Cup. Our preparations to welcome the continent’s teams and fans in January were completed according to the approved plans. We will continue working with the same momentum toward the new tournament date in December 2027.” He added that rescheduling means shifting the tournament to its new date, while plans and preparations continue as approved, emphasizing close cooperation with the Asian Football Confederation and all partners to ensure a comprehensive, high-level organizational experience and deliver an exceptional edition befitting the Kingdom’s stature and the Asian Cup.

From Australia, the local football federation announced its support for the postponement decision, praising the Saudi Football Federation and the local organizing committee’s commitment to staging a world-class tournament. The Australian federation confirmed that the change in the Asian Cup date would not affect its international schedule in November, as it will proceed with the two friendly matches scheduled against Qatar in Doha and Jordan in Amman.

In Japan, the local federation faces a decision regarding Hajime Moriyasu, whose tenure was originally set to continue until the end of the Asian Cup, with Go Oiwa scheduled to take over afterward. According to South Korea’s Star News, citing Japan’s Spunichi, the federation may proceed with handing over the role to Oiwa despite the postponement, to avoid shortening his preparation period for upcoming fixtures, although a technical official confirmed that the decision has not yet been finalized.

In South Korea, the local federation is now required to decide the future of Spanish coach Roberto Moreno, who was appointed interim manager on a contract expiring in November, with the possibility of extending it until the Asian Cup. According to Yonhap News Agency, the federation had intended to evaluate him after six international matches, but the postponement forced it to make a decision more than a year before the new tournament date.