Fresh concerns over 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia after missile strikes in Riyadh

Situation is being monitored by global players’ union Fifpro Tournament is due to kick off in January with five venues in RiyadhAsia’s elite men’s footballers are on edge as they prepare to travel to conflict-affected Saudi Arabia for January’s Asian Cup.Multiple missile strikes by the Houthis on Riyadh’s international airport in recent days have killed more than a dozen people and wounded hundreds. Continue reading…

Asia’s elite men’s footballers are on edge as they prepare to travel to conflict-affected Saudi Arabia for January’s Asian Cup Tournament is due to kick off in January with five venues in Riyadh Asia’s elite men’s footballers are on edge as they prepare to travel to conflict-affected Saudi Arabia for January’s Asian Cup. Multiple missile strikes by the Houthis on Riyadh’s international airport in recent days have killed more than a dozen people and wounded hundreds. Five of the continental tournament’s eight venues are in Riyadh, and the hosts will meet Palestine in the tournament opener on 7 January.

In total, 31 matches will be held in the capital, including the final on 5 February. The eastern parts of Saudi Arabia have also been threatened during the Iran-US conflict this year, including the city of Al Khobar in the Persian Gulf which will host seven matches including Australia v Singapore on 9 January. Consternation is building across Asia about the safety of those travelling to Saudi Arabia. The Japanese Football Association withdrew from the FIFAe video game World Cup due to be held in Saudi Arabia later this month, “following