Official statement sparks controversy: will the Asian Cup be postponed to 2028?

The Asian championship under threat

Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has opened the door to pushing the 2027 AFC Asian Cup back a year to 2028, against the backdrop of events currently unfolding in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia are due to stage the tournament early next year, running from 7 January to 5 February 2027.

Press reports, though, have raised the prospect of a postponement or a switch away from the Kingdom altogether, with the current situation there potentially ruling out any chance of hosting for now.

Sheikh Salman confirmed a delay is on the table in remarks carried by Saudi newspaper "Arriyadiyah" on Thursday.

"We can wait until the end of November," the AFC president said. "The situation in the region is changing very quickly, for better or for worse, and it is a matter of following what will happen."

He added: "If we need to take a decision, we will, but we can postpone the tournament by a year to 2028 if the need arises. For now, however, we are monitoring the situation and everything is proceeding according to the set schedule."

Several sporting events in Saudi Arabia have already fallen victim to postponement in recent days. The Clasico between Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr went first, followed by the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament and a number of AFC Champions League Elite fixtures.