Fifpro and Football Australia monitor Saudi security ahead of Asian Cup

Global players' union Fifpro and Football Australia are monitoring security conditions in Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2027 men's Asian Cup, following missile attacks on Riyadh, the Guardian reported on Tuesday. Their statements focus on assessments of the risks to players, staff and supporters before the tournament begins in January.

According to Jack Snape's report, recent Houthi missile strikes targeted Riyadh's international airport. The capital is central to the competition's schedule: five of the eight venues are there, with 31 matches planned in the city. Saudi Arabia are due to face Palestine in the opening match on January 7, while Riyadh will also stage the February 5 final.

Beau Busch, president of Fifpro Asia/Oceania and chief executive of Professional Footballers Australia, said player safety must guide preparations. He said the unions were consulting Football Australia and external experts as conditions changed. Risk assessments take place before every camp, he added, and would remain an important part of planning for the Asian Cup.

Football Australia separately told the Guardian it was watching developments in Saudi Arabia and keeping in contact with the Australian players' union. It also said discussions with the Asian Football Confederation would continue, informed by Australian government advice. The Guardian reported that the government's Smartraveller guidance, updated on Monday, continued to advise travellers to reconsider visiting Saudi Arabia because of the security situation.

The concerns extend to other scheduled football activity in the region. Australia's national team are due to play November friendlies against Qatar in Doha and Jordan in Amman. At the Asian Cup, their January 9 meeting with Singapore is scheduled for Al Khobar, which is set to host seven matches. The Guardian reported that eastern Saudi Arabia had also faced threats during this year's Iran-US conflict.

The report also said Japan's football association had withdrawn from the FIFAe video game World Cup in Saudi Arabia following a safety assessment. The Asian Football Confederation declined to comment to the Guardian on Tuesday. The statements reported from Fifpro and Football Australia concerned ongoing monitoring and preparations; neither announced a withdrawal from the Asian Cup.