Concerns Grow Over 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia After Missile Strikes

Fresh concerns emerged regarding the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia following missile strikes in Riyadh. The global players’ union, Fifpro, expressed apprehension over the tournament’s safety after multiple missile attacks by the Houthis on Riyadh’s international airport, which resulted in more than a dozen fatalities and hundreds of injuries.

The Asian Cup is set to begin in January, with five of the tournament's eight venues located in Riyadh. The hosts will play against Palestine in the opening match on 7 January, and a total of 31 matches will be conducted in the city, culminating in the final on 5 February.

Additionally, the eastern regions of Saudi Arabia have faced threats amid the ongoing Iran-US conflict, with Al Khobar scheduled to host seven matches, including Australia versus Singapore on 9 January. Concerns about the safety of travelers to Saudi Arabia have intensified across Asia.

Indeed, the Japanese Football Association decided to withdraw from the upcoming FIFAe video game World Cup, which was planned to take place in Saudi Arabia later this month. This decision followed a comprehensive evaluation of the security situation. Beau Busch, president of Fifpro Asia/Oceania, voiced his solidarity with those affected by regional conflicts while addressing player concerns regarding the Asian Cup. "The safety of players, fans, and staff must be the priority in the planning and delivery of the AFC Asian Cup," he said.

Al-Nassr, a team based in Riyadh and featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, recently experienced a one-hour delay for an Asian Champions League match due to missile alerts in the city. A Saudi-led military coalition reported intercepting a missile aimed at Riyadh. Busch, who also leads the Professional Footballers Australia union, confirmed ongoing monitoring of the situation in collaboration with Football Australia and security experts.

Risk assessments are essential before all training camps and will be crucial ahead of the Asian Cup due to the volatile security developments in the area. The Australian national team is expected to visit the region in November for matches against Qatar and Jordan.

Football Australia stated that it is diligently monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that the safety and wellbeing of players, staff, and supporters are of utmost importance. They will focus on risk assessment as the tournament approaches. Regular consultations with the Professional Footballers Australia and the Asian Football Confederation regarding tournament preparations will continue, adhering to the advice of the Australian government.

The latest update from the Australian government’s Smartraveller website remains cautious, advising travelers to reconsider their need to travel to Saudi Arabia due to security concerns. The Asian Football Confederation has refrained from commenting on the players’ concerns but has secured multiple Saudi Arabia-based sponsors for the tournament, including Aramco and NEOM. In a surprising move, FIFA awarded Saudi Arabia the right to host the 2034 World Cup three years ago.