Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia still on, organisers say, but Saudi International golf postponed
Local organisers say the 24-team football tournament will go ahead in January despite Houthi attacks on Riyadh, while golf's Asian Tour delays its flagship Saudi event.
At a glance
- The Asian Cup football tournament is still scheduled for January 7 to February 5 in Saudi Arabia, local organisers said on Friday.
- Golf's Asian Tour postponed the $5m Saudi International indefinitely after attacks on Riyadh, including one that killed 14 people.
- Australia pulled out of the urban cycling World Championships in Riyadh; FIFAe Finals and three Saudi Pro League matches were also affected.
The Asian Cup football tournament remains on course to be held in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, the local organising committee said on Friday, even as security concerns linked to attacks on Riyadh force other sporting events to be postponed or relocated.
The deadliest attack, claimed by Yemen's Houthi group, took place on Saturday at Riyadh's international airport. It killed 14 people and wounded more than 300.
AFC chief Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said earlier this week that postponing the continental championship until 2028 was possible if necessary. But the local organising committee said it was sticking to the original schedule.
In a statement, the committee said preparations were progressing "according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services". It said it would continue to monitor developments and ensure the appropriate conditions for a successful tournament.
Other events postponed or moved
- The Asian Tour postponed the $5m Saudi International indefinitely. The event, sponsored by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, is the flagship of the Asian Tour and had been scheduled for Riyadh Golf Club on November 18-21. The Asian Tour said the decision followed an assessment of organisational and logistical challenges and a desire to ensure the event is "delivered to a standard befitting its international stature".
- Australia withdrew its team from the urban cycling World Championships, which were scheduled for early November in Riyadh. AusCycling said the decision was made "with the safety and wellbeing of our athletes and staff our highest priority". The Australian government advises travellers to "reconsider" trips to Saudi Arabia and to Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport due to recent security incidents.
- The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh was moved from October to December. FIFA postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in Jeddah on Thursday to an unspecified future date.
- Three Saudi Pro League matches were postponed this week, including one featuring Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Al-Nassr's AFC Champions League game on Monday was delayed by an hour after Saudi Arabia's Civil Defence said it intercepted a missile fired towards Riyadh.
The Asian Cup was pitched as an early rehearsal for Saudi Arabia's hosting of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The Saudi government has invested heavily in sport through the Public Investment Fund in recent years.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- Is the Asian Cup still going ahead in Saudi Arabia?
- Yes, local organisers said on Friday that the 24-team tournament remains on schedule for January 7 to February 5. They said preparations are proceeding according to plan.
- Why was the Saudi International golf tournament postponed?
- The Asian Tour postponed the $5m event indefinitely after attacks on Riyadh. It said the decision followed an assessment of organisational and logistical challenges.
- What other sporting events have been affected by the attacks in Riyadh?
- Australia withdrew from the urban cycling World Championships, the Six Kings Slam tennis event was moved to December, and FIFA postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 in Jeddah.
