The Asian Cup football tournament that was due to be held in Saudi Arabia early next year has been postponed, as the Middle East braces for a renewed round of escalation in the US-Iran war, Report informs referring to the Financial Times.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) confirmed on Tuesday that the event would be delayed until December 2027, marking the latest event to be cancelled or rescheduled after a series of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting Riyadh airport and other civilian and energy infrastructure sites in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia's flagship "Davos in the desert" investment conference that was scheduled to take place in the capital last month was moved to next year after an attack on King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300. Formula 1 originally postponed its Saudi race from April to November after the start of the US-Israel strikes on Iran, but officials later said the kingdom's race would no longer take place.
The AFC and local organising committee said the decision to postpone the Asian Cup was "in light of the current exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions."
"Exceptional circumstances have been created for the organisation and delivery of the competition as originally scheduled, making the postponement necessary in the interest of all participating teams, officials, spectators and other stakeholders," the organisers added in a statement.
WWE's Crown Jewel wrestling event in Riyadh that was initially planned for late October was pushed to November 7.
Tickets remain on sale for that event as Riyadh airport has gradually started to resume normal operations in recent days.