Salman bin Ibrahim reaffirms confidence in Saudi Arabia and the 2027 Asian Cup being on schedule

AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim reaffirmed his full confidence in Saudi Arabia’s ability to deliver an exceptional edition of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, confirming that the tournament will proceed as scheduled and that all preparations are advancing according to approved plans without any changes.

He emphasized that daily communication and coordination are ongoing with the Saudi Football Federation and the local organizing committee, noting that positive reports reaching the AFC reflect the massive scale of work and the considerable efforts undertaken by Saudi Arabia, reinforcing the conviction that the Kingdom is steadily moving forward to host a historic tournament.

He stated, “Saudi Arabia possesses advanced infrastructure, world-class organizational capabilities, and accumulated experience in hosting major international events, factors that give us complete confidence that the 2027 edition will be a landmark and distinguished milestone in the history of the continental championship.”

The AFC President settled speculation about any possibility of relocating the tournament, clarifying that discussions about any changes are premature, and that the current priority is to complete operational arrangements to hold the tournament in Saudi Arabia on its scheduled dates, from January 7 to February 5, 2027, with 24 national teams participating.

He added, “Our focus today is entirely on ensuring the success of the hosting in Saudi Arabia, and there are no new developments that warrant altering the arrangements. The AFC handles all circumstances responsibly and flexibly, and any decision will always be made in full coordination with our brothers in Saudi Arabia, ensuring the continuity and success of the tournament.”