The draw for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been rescheduled to May 9 in Riyadh, after being postponed from last Saturday. This change comes as the United States-Israel war on Iran continues to disrupt regional sporting events, highlighting the geopolitical tensions affecting the Middle East.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Wednesday that the postponement was made to ensure the full participation of all key stakeholders and member associations. The draw will be held at the historic At-Turaif District in Diriyah, a move intended to maintain the event's prestige despite the challenging circumstances.

A number of sporting events across the region have been postponed or cancelled due to the war, which began on February 28, underscoring the broader impact of the conflict on cultural and athletic activities. Saudi Arabia is set to host the 24-team, quadrennial continental championship for the first time from January 7 to February 5, with 23 of the 24 teams already confirmed. The draw will divide the qualified nations into six groups of four.

The final qualification place will be decided on June 4 when Lebanon faces Yemen in a playoff. Defending champions Qatar have already secured their place at the finals, along with four-time winners Japan and fellow World Cup qualifiers South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Australia, and Uzbekistan, reflecting the competitive landscape of Asian football.

Source: www.aljazeera.com