The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and AFC Asian Cup 2027 local organizing committee announced today that the tournament will take place from January 7 to February 5, 2027, in Saudi Arabia.
The 19th edition of Asia’s premier football tournament will kick off on Thursday, January 7, 2027, culminating with the final match on Friday, February 5, 2027, promising an exciting experience for football fans across the continent.
Saudi Arabia’s Football Federation President Yasser Al Misehal described the announcement of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 timeline as a key milestone in the Kingdom’s journey toward hosting the tournament. “The local organizing committee is committed to delivering an exceptional edition of the Asian Cup that meets the high expectations of football fans across the continent,” he stated.
Eight stadiums across three host cities
The AFC Asian Cup 2027 will feature eight stadiums across three host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Each city will have a main stadium.
In Riyadh, the spotlight will be on King Fahd Sports City Stadium, currently undergoing extensive upgrades to meet the highest standards. Riyadh will also feature King Saud University Stadium, Al Shabab Stadium and Kingdom Arena. The AFC Asian Cup 2027 will also see matches at the revamped Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, which will see its seating capacity expanded to 21,000 and all facilities upgraded to meet AFC standards.
Jeddah will host matches at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also known as “The Shining Jewel,” which recently hosted the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Final. It will also host matches at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, which previously hosted several matches during the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
Meanwhile, the newly constructed stadium in Al Khobar will be the centerpiece of the Eastern Region.
“The success of this endeavor is a result of the unwavering support from our leadership and the guidance of Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, which has positioned the Saudi Arabian Football Federation among the leading football associations in the region,” Al Misehal added.
Stadiums confirmed ✅
Experience 8️⃣ state-of-the-art arenas at AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ 🏟🔝
Matches will be held from January 7-February 5 in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar 🇸🇦#ForwardForAsia | #Saudi2027 | #AsianCup2027 pic.twitter.com/t9jRUWYOzM
— Saudi Arabian Football Federation (@saudiff_en) January 7, 2025
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18 nations qualify for the tournament
To date, 18 nations have qualified for the tournament: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Iran, Qatar, UAE, Japan, Korea Republic, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, China PR, Indonesia, DPR Korea, Kuwait and the Kyrgyz Republic.
In addition, six remaining spots will be determined through the final round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.
“The record-setting AFC Asian Cup in Qatar exceeded all our expectations. In every way, Qatar 2023 has set the benchmark of excellence for all future editions of Asia’s flagship tournament. We are resolute in our commitment to improve Asia’s crown jewel with each passing edition and the foundations are now in place for Saudi Arabia to host a truly exceptional tournament in 2027,” stated Mariano V. Araneta Jr., chairperson of the organizing committee for AFC Asian Cup (OCAC).
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 builds on the Kingdom’s recent success in organizing major international sports events, a key part of Saudi Vision 2030. The Kingdom recently hosted several high-profile football tournaments, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup and the Spanish and Italian Super Cups. It is also gearing up to host the final stages of this season’s AFC Champions League Elite, alongside major events in other sports, such as Formula 1 and the Dakar Rally.
