Asian Cup Draw Moved to May Following Middle East Conflict Postponement

2023 AFC winners - Qatar

Asian Cup 2027 draw moved from April 11 to May 9 at At-Turaif District in Diriyah. Lebanon face Yemen on June 4 for the last spot as Qatar defend their title in Saudi Arabia.

The draw is now May 9 in Riyadh after postponement due to Middle East tensions...

The 2027 Asian Cup draw in Saudi Arabia will now take place on May 9 in Riyadh, after unrest in the Middle East forced delays to sporting events across the region, the Asian Football Confederation announced Wednesday.

Initially set for April 11, the draw will be staged at the historic At-Turaif District in Diriyah. The AFC said the date was shifted to guarantee all key stakeholders and member associations can attend.

من قلب التاريخ… تنطلق الحكاية 🇸🇦

موعد جديد لقرعة كأس آسيا 2027 السعودية 🏆

9 مايو 🗓️
حي الطريف بالدرعية 📍#السعودية2027 #معًا_لمستقبل_آسيا pic.twitter.com/2p5Hak8G2j

— Saudi 2027 (@saudi2027) April 15, 2026

Several sporting events in the region were called off or delayed after tensions escalated following US and Israeli strikes on Iran last month.

Saudi Arabia will host the 24-nation continental tournament for the first time from January 7 to February 5. With 23 of the 24 teams already qualified, the draw will split the confirmed sides into six groups of four.

  

Lebanon and Yemen will play off on June 4 for the final qualifying spot. Defending champions Qatar are already through to the finals, as are four-time winners Japan and fellow World Cup qualifiers South Korea, Iran, Jordan, Australia, and Uzbekistan.