AFC postpones draw for Saudi Arabia Asian Cup finals as Middle East conflict continues
Kingdom set to host tournament for first time with 24 teams competing across three host cities in January and February
The draw for January’s Asian Cup finals, which was set be held in Riyadh on April 11, has been postponed, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Thursday.
Officials have rescheduled the event to a later date “to ensure the undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders at the final draw ceremony”, the governing body said in a statement.
It added: “Further updates on the new arrangements for the final draw will be communicated in due course.”
Numerous sporting events in the region have been postponed or cancelled because of the ongoing Middle East conflict, which started when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran almost a month ago.
They include football’s “Finalissima”, which would have pitted European champions Spain against Copa America winners Argentina in Doha, two Formula One grands prix, the Qatari round of motorsport’s World Endurance Championship, Asian Champions League matches and the Qatar MotoGP grand prix.
Saudi Arabia is poised to host the 24-team championship for the first time.