KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Asian Cup
organizers released the kickoff times and finalized schedule Monday for the 2027 tournament in another move aimed at assuring continental soccer federations that planning is on track despite deadly recent attacks in Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi
rebels.
The tournament is set to kickoff on Jan. 7 with Saudi Arabia
against the Palestinian team in Group A starting at 8 p.m. local time in Riyadh.
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Muhammed Q. Alghamdi, a spokesman for the organizing committee, told members at an Asian Football Confederation meeting in Tokyo last week that "daily life is ongoing in Saudi Arabia," despite the regional hostilities and added: "Our job is to be ready, and we will be ready."
The kickoff times and locations of matches in all six groups were confirmed Monday for the monthlong tournament that is scheduled to feature 24 teams playing matches in eight venues across three cites — Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar.
Iran is in Group C with Syria, China and Kyrgyzstan. The Iranian team is scheduled to open against China at 4:30 p.m. local time Saturday, Jan. 9 at the 26,000-seat Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. Australia opens its Group D campaign against Singapore earlier the same day in Khobar.
The final is set for Friday, Feb. 5 at the 72,000-seat King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh.
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"The allocation of all venues and kick-off times in this finalized schedule factors in key commercial and broadcast requirements, as well as the local arrangements put in place to drive spectator attendance and enhance fan experience," the Asian Football Confederation said in a statement.
There has been disruptions to the continental soccer club championship because of security concerns, and some scheduled international events have been canceled.
An AFC Champions League game between Cristiano Ronaldo
's Al-Nassr and Uzbekistan's Neftchi Fergana was delayed on Oct. 12 after Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense issued a security alert
.
Al-Nassr's home ACL game scheduled for Monday against Al-Wasl of the United Arab Emirates at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh was postponed "to a later date," the AFC said.
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"The new match date and kick off time will be confirmed and communicated in due course," the confederation said in a statement.
Among other sports events that have been moved or canceled is the WTA Finals
, the season-ending event in women's tennis, was moved from Riyadh to Indian Wells, California.
A BMX cycling qualifying event
in Saudi Arabia for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was also canceled by the International Cycling Union.
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