Asian Cup draw set for May 9

The draw for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been rescheduled for May 9 in Riyadh after escalating conflict in the Middle East disrupted sporting calendars across the region, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Wednesday. The draw was originally scheduled for April 11 but will now take place at the historic At-Turaif District in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The AFC said the postponement was made to ensure the full participation of all member associations and key stakeholders, as travel restrictions and security concerns affected movement across several countries. In recent weeks, heightened tensions in the region, triggered by U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, have led to wider instability, impacting airspace access, logistics and scheduling for international sporting events. Several federations faced difficulties in confirming travel arrangements, while some regional competitions were either postponed or cancelled due to safety considerations. The AFC said it worked closely with host nation Saudi Arabia and participating associations before confirming the new date, emphasising that the decision was taken in the interest of fairness and operational stability ahead of the tournament draw. Saudi Arabia is set to host the 24-team, quadrennial continental championship for the first time from January 7 to February 5. The tournament will feature nations from across Asia competing over nearly a month for the continental crown. With 23 of the 24 teams already confirmed, the draw will divide the qualified nations into six groups of four, setting the pathway for the tournament’s group stage. The final qualification spot will be decided on June 4, when Lebanon face Yemen in a playoff match. Defending champions Qatar have already secured their place at the finals, along with four-time winners Japan and fellow World Cup qualifiers South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Australia and Uzbekistan, all expected to be among the leading contenders. Organisers say preparations for the tournament remain on track despite regional uncertainty.