Written by
WorldCupSpain Editorial Team
Reviewed by
WorldCupSpain Editorial Desk
Updated
October 20, 2026
Methodology
Corrections
AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa has acknowledged that the 2027 AFC Asian Cup could be postponed by a year to 2028 if security conditions in Saudi Arabia deteriorate. He told reporters the confederation could wait until the end of November before making a final decision; the tournament is currently scheduled for January 7 to February 5, 2027, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.WHY IT MATTERS
A confirmed postponement would have direct sporting consequences for Vietnam: the change would complicate an international calendar that is already set to be restructured by the AFC. The confederation’s proposed AFC Nations League — which the source says could be trialed in 2028-29 and launched in 2030 — is intended to play a role in World Cup and Asian Cup qualification. Under the current proposal, Vietnam would need to track results across AFC and FIFA competitions to remain in the top tier, the only tier eligible for direct World Cup qualification spots. Moving the Asian Cup into 2028 would therefore force a rethink of competition timing and the sequencing of qualification-related events.
WORLDCUPSPAIN ANALYSIS
The announcement by Sheikh Salman that the tournament “could move back a year to 2028 if we need to” frames the postponement as conditional on evolving security risks. The source links recent attacks affecting travel and event operations in Saudi Arabia — including the October 13 incident at King Khalid International Airport that reportedly killed at least 14 people and injured more than 300, and a missile-related security alert that delayed an Al-Nassr match on October 12 — as context for the AFC’s caution. If the AFC delays the Asian Cup, the organisation would need to revise the wider competition calendar already tied to the proposed Nations League timeline. For emerging teams such as Vietnam, that revision could change the timing and importance of matches they must play to secure or maintain a position in the top tier of AFC competitions.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
The AFC has said it may wait until the end of November before deciding whether to postpone the tournament. Until the confederation makes a formal announcement, the Asian Cup dates remain January 7–February 5, 2027, and preparations are continuing as planned according to the source.