The Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia remains scheduled to begin in January, organisers have said, despite a series of attacks on Riyadh that have disrupted the country’s sporting calendar and led to the indefinite postponement of golf’s Saudi International.
The 24-team football tournament is due to take place from January 7 to February 5. Its local organising committee said preparations were continuing, while the Asian Tour delayed its flagship event after assessing the challenges of staging it safely.
The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack, which struck Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday. Fourteen people were killed and more than 300 wounded.
Several other sporting events have been affected. Australia withdrew from the urban cycling World Championships, scheduled for Riyadh in early November, citing concerns about travelling to the city.
The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh has been moved from October to December, while FIFA postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in Jeddah until an unspecified future date.
Three Saudi Pro League matches were postponed this week, including one involving Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. The club’s Asian Football Confederation Champions League match on Monday was delayed by an hour after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence said it had intercepted a missile fired towards Riyadh.
AFC president Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said earlier in the week that the Asian Cup could be postponed until 2028 if necessary. However, the local organising committee said on Friday that it was maintaining the original timetable.
“Preparations across all organisational and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services,” the committee said.
It added that it would “continue to monitor developments relevant to the tournament and ensure the appropriate conditions are in place for its successful delivery”.
Saudi International postponed indefinitely
The $5 million Saudi International had been due to take place at Riyadh Golf Club from November 18 to 21. Sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, it is the Asian Tour’s flagship event.
“The decision to postpone was taken following an assessment of the organisational and logistical challenges associated with hosting the tournament and ensuring the event is delivered to a standard befitting its international stature,” the Asian Tour said.
AusCycling said the decision to withdraw Australia’s team from the cycling championships had been made “with the safety and wellbeing of our athletes and staff our highest priority”. The Australian government is advising travellers to reconsider trips to Saudi Arabia, and specifically to Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, because of recent security incidents.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in sport through the Public Investment Fund. The Asian Cup had been presented as an early rehearsal for the country’s planned hosting of the 2034 Fifa World Cup.
