Asia Cup still on track despite deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia

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The tournament is set to kickoff on January 7 with Saudi Arabia against the Palestinian team in Group A starting at 8pm local time in Riyadh.

Muhammed Q Alghamdi, a spokesman for the organising committee, told members at an Asian Football Confederation meeting in Tokyo last week that “daily life is ongoing in Saudi Arabia,” despite the regional hostilities and added: “Our job is to be ready, and we will be ready.”

The kick-off times and locations of matches in all six groups were confirmed yesterday for the monthlong tournament that is scheduled to feature 24 teams playing matches in eight venues across three cites — Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar.

Iran is in Group C with Syria, China and Kyrgyzstan. The Iranian team is scheduled to open against China at 4.30pm local time on Saturday, January 9 at the 26,000-seat Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Australia opens its Group D campaign against Singapore earlier the same day in Khobar.

The final is set for Friday, February 5 at the 72,000-seat King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.

“The allocation of all venues and kick-off times in this finalised schedule factors in key commercial and broadcast requirements, as well as the local arrangements put in place to drive spectator attendance and enhance fan experience,” the Asian Football Confederation said in a statement.

There have been disruptions to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League because of security concerns, and some scheduled international events have been cancelled.

An AFC Champions League game between Al-Nassr and Neftchi Fergana was delayed on October 12 after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a security alert.

Al-Nassr’s home Champions League game scheduled for Monday against Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh was postponed “to a later date,” the AFC said.

“The new match date and kick off time will be confirmed and communicated in due course,” the confederation said in a statement.

Among other sports events that have been moved or cancelled is the WTA Finals, the season-ending event in women’s tennis, was moved from Riyadh to Indian Wells, California.

A BMX cycling qualifying event in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was also cancelled by the International Cycling Union.