10/16/2026 12:18:00
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10/16 00:13 CDT Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia stays on track as safety fears grow
amid Middle East conflict
Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia stays on track as safety fears grow amid Middle East
conflict
By JOHN DUERDEN
Associated Press
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) --- Asian Cup organizers have responded to increasing
concerns over the safety of players and fans if the tournament goes ahead in
Saudi Arabia by confirming plans for the Jan. 7-Feb. 5 continental championship
remain on track despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The Saudi organizing committee issued a statement Friday saying it is
continuing to coordinate closely with the Asian Football Confederation.
"Preparations across all organizational and operational areas are progressing
according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and
supporting services," Saudi organizers said. "The focus remains on delivering a
world-class tournament experience for participating teams, fans and media from
across Asia, while bringing the continent together through football."
South Korea's Professional Footballers' Association had earlier expressed
concerns following a series of attacks on the Asian Cup host country by Yemen's
Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
"The continued military tensions and security instability in the Middle East
are issues that can never be taken lightly," Lee Keun-ho, head of the South
Korean player union, said in a statement. "The safety of our national team, as
well as all players participating in the Asian Cup, is a serious concern."
At least 19 people, including foreigners, have been killed in more than a week
of Houthi attacks targeting the Riyadh international airport, the headquarters
of Saudi oil giant Aramco and other aviation, oil and military facilities
across the kingdom.
South Korea, a World Cup semifinalist in 2002, is set to open against Yemen on
Jan. 10 but only if, Lee added, it was deemed safe to do so.
"No competition's value can take precedence over the lives and safety of
players and football fans," he said. "If safety cannot be sufficiently
guaranteed, all possibilities --- including whether the tournament should be
held --- must be carefully reviewed."
An AFC Champions League game between Cristiano Ronaldo 's Al-Nassr and
Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana was delayed on Monday in Riyadh after Saudi
Arabia's Civil Defense issued a security alert.
Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa
told media in Zurich this week that --- if necessary --- the Asian Cup could be
postponed by one year.
"We can wait until the end of November" to make a decision, Salman said.
"Things can change very quickly for better or worse in the region, and it is a
question of seeing what happens."
"If we need to make a decision, then we will, but we could move it back a year
to 2028 if we need to."
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