Asian Cup safety under scrutiny after Riyadh missile strikes

Football Australia and players' union officials are monitoring security risks ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia after missile strikes on Riyadh's international airport, the Guardian reported. The concerns come with the men's continental tournament scheduled to begin in January and most of its venues located in the Saudi capital.

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According to the Guardian, recent Houthi missile attacks on the airport killed more than a dozen people and injured hundreds. Riyadh is due to stage 31 matches, including Saudi Arabia's opening game against Palestine on 7 January and the final on 5 February. Five of the tournament's eight venues are in the city.

The report also identified concerns in eastern Saudi Arabia during this year's Iran-US conflict. Al Khobar, on the Persian Gulf, is scheduled to host seven Asian Cup matches, including Australia against Singapore on 9 January. Separately, the Japanese Football Association has withdrawn from the FIFAe video game World Cup being held in Saudi Arabia later this month after assessing safety and security conditions.

Beau Busch, president of Fifpro Asia/Oceania and chief executive of Professional Footballers Australia, said the protection of players, supporters and staff should guide tournament planning. He said the unions were monitoring developments and consulting Football Australia and outside experts. Risk assessments before national-team camps would remain important as conditions changed, he said, with Australia also scheduled to visit Qatar and Jordan for November friendlies.

Football Australia told the Guardian it was maintaining contact with the PFA and would continue discussions with the Asian Football Confederation about tournament arrangements, following Australian government advice. It said risk assessment would be a key part of preparations for January. The report cited government travel guidance, updated on Monday, advising Australians to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia because of the security situation.

The AFC declined to comment to the Guardian on Tuesday. The report also said an Al-Nassr Asian Champions League match in Riyadh was delayed by an hour on Monday, when a Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted a Houthi missile directed towards the capital. The tournament dates remained those cited in the report; it did not announce a cancellation, relocation or revised Asian Cup schedule.