Riyadh
Asian Football Confederation has postponed the draw for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 finals, which was originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh on April 11.
In a statement released on Thursday, the AFC said the decision was taken to ensure the “undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders” at the prestigious event. A revised date for the draw will be announced later.
The governing body also expressed appreciation to the Local Organising Committee for its readiness to host the ceremony as planned, while thanking participating member associations, fans and stakeholders for their understanding and continued cooperation.
Saudi Arabia is set to host the 24-team continental championship for the first time, marking a significant milestone for football in the region. The tournament, held every four years, is Asia’s premier international competition and is expected to draw widespread attention from across the continent and beyond.
Defending champions Qatar have already secured their place in the finals, alongside four-time winners Japan. Other qualified teams include South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Australia and Uzbekistan, all of whom have progressed through earlier qualification stages. The final round of qualifiers concluded earlier this week, completing the lineup for the tournament.
While the postponement may cause minor scheduling adjustments, officials have emphasised that preparations for the competition remain on track. The AFC reiterated its commitment to delivering a successful tournament with full participation from all teams and stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the confederation confirmed that matches in the latter stages of the AFC Champions League Elite will proceed as planned in Jeddah from April 13 to 26, indicating that other major events in the Asian football calendar remain unaffected.
The Asian Cup draw is a key milestone ahead of the tournament, determining group-stage matchups and setting the stage for what promises to be a highly competitive championship. With a new date awaited, anticipation among fans and teams continues to build.
