April 11 – The AFC has no plans to move the 2027 Asian Cup from Saudi Arabia next January and is not looking for an alternative host, an anonymous source has told Insideworldfootball.
The information counters reports in Australia and the UK that suggest that the AFC may be considering a move of its blue riband men’s national team event, and that former Socceroo turned human rights advocate Craig Foster is lobbying the Australian FA and government to host the event having delivered record numbers for the Women’s Asian Cup hosted in the country last month.
The source told Insideworldfootball that there has been no discussion with any national federation about the hosting of the Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia and no alternative host is being sought, though the political situation is obviously being monitored closely.
At least 1,900 civilians have been killed in Iran predominantly by US military, and 20,000+ injured in the bombing, and more than 1,400 civilians have been killed in Lebanon in Israeli-led attacks. Saudi Arabian petrochemical infrastructure has been attacked by Iran as well as US bases in the country.
Iran and Lebanon are both full AFC members and would participate in the Asian Cup with full teams and unrestricted Visa entry requirements.
Iran have already qualified for the tournament, while Lebanon currently lead their final qualification group needing only a draw to qualify against closest rivals Yemen.
That final Group B qualifying match between Lebanon and Yemen was originally scheduled for March 31 but has been rescheduled to June 4, 2026.
The issues of Iranian national teams playing in international competition has been highlighted by the in-or-out participation debate surrounding Iran at the World Cup in the US this summer.
Iranian FA and government officials have said their players would not be safe in the US, US president Donald Trump confirmed that and suggested they should stay away for their own safety, while FIFA president Gianni Infantino has said that Iran will participate as scheduled, in the US. There has been some talk of shifting Iran’s games to Mexico where they are welcome.
Another issue concerns visas and with most of the Iranian team have served compulsory national service in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, there is no guarantee their visas would be granted.
An Australian bid to wrestle the hosting of the 2027 Asian Cup away from Saudi Arabia would not be viewed favourably by their fellow AFC member federations.
“It would be easier to get Australia out of Asia,” said another Asian source speaking to Insideworldfootball on the condition of anonymity.
Next week Saudi Arabia host Iran’s Tractor FC in Jeddah in a last 16 play-off in the Asian Champions League Elite against the UAE’s Shabab Al Alhi, rescheduled to be played in Saudi Arabia as the closing rounds of Western Zonal qualifiers on April 13-14. Jeddah will host city the centralised final rounds from the quarter finals onwards that will start April 16.
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