Saudi Arabia security puts Asian Cup in doubt: Japan football chief

The 2027 Asian Cup may not go ahead in Saudi Arabia as planned, Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto has warned, as escalating Houthi attacks raise fresh questions about the safety of the January tournament.

Speaking at the Asian Football Confederation's extraordinary congress in Tokyo, Miyamoto said it would be difficult to stage the continental championship — scheduled for January 7 to February 5, 2027 — given the current security situation. "Based on what I've learned from the news, the situation is still unsafe, so at this point, I don't think it would be easy to hold the Cup there," he told reporters.

Miyamoto said he had just met with Saudi officials, who told him their top priority was the safety of players, fans and everyone attending, and that they would work with the AFC to decide whether the tournament can go ahead — a decision he said would take some time.

AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa said last week that postponing the tournament to 2028 remained a possibility if necessary. Saudi Arabia's local organising committee, however, insists preparations are on track and that it is sticking to the original schedule.

The warning follows a deadly attack on Riyadh's international airport, which killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. Golf's Asian Tour has postponed the Saudi International indefinitely, cycling's Urban World Championships were cancelled, the Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition in Riyadh was moved from October to December, and FIFA postponed its FIFAe Finals 2026 in Jeddah.

The Asian Cup was pitched as an early rehearsal for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which Saudi Arabia will host.