Asian Cup 2027 could be postponed: What it means for Vietnam's football

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa acknowledged on Thursday that the tournament could be pushed back to 2028 if security conditions in Saudi Arabia deteriorate.

Speaking to reporters in Zurich, where a FIFA Council meeting was being held, Sheikh Salman said the AFC could wait until the end of November before making a decision, Reuters reported on Thursday.

“If we need to make a decision then we will, but we ⁠could move back a year to 2028 if we need to,” he said, stressing that preparations were still proceeding as planned.

The tournament is scheduled for January 7 to February 5, 2027, across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.

How could Vietnam’s football be affected?

A postponement could complicate Vietnam's international football calendar as the AFC prepares to introduce a new competition structure linked to future World Cup and Asian Cup qualification.

The proposed AFC Nations League could be trialed in the 2028-29 season before its official launch in 2030.

If the Asian Cup takes place in early 2028, the AFC will have to rethink its entire competition calendar and plans.

Emerging football nations such as Vietnam could be significantly affected, as the proposed AFC Nations League is expected to play a crucial role in determining qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

The proposal has already raised concerns among Vietnamese fans over its complexity and the importance of results across AFC and FIFA competitions.

Under the plan, Vietnam would need to closely monitor results across AFC and FIFA competitions to remain in the top tier, the only group eligible to compete for direct World Cup qualification spots.

A postponement of the Asian Cup, if confirmed, could further complicate an already demanding international match calendar.

On the other hand, delaying the Asian Cup by a year could align with the AFC's longer-term vision.

Earlier this year, Reuters reported that the Asian football governing body had suspended the bidding processes for the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cups as it considered shifting the tournament to even-numbered years.

Security concerns grow in Saudi Arabia

Concerns over the Asian Cup have intensified following attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

Media reports on October 13, citing Saudi authorities, said the attacks had killed at least 14 people and injured more than 300, disrupting air travel.

The security situation has also affected sporting events. An Al-Nassr match in an Asian club competition on October 12 was delayed by about an hour following a missile-related security alert, although the game eventually went ahead.

Meanwhile, organizers have rescheduled the Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament from October 21-24 to December 27-30, citing operational and logistical challenges.