Home
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr is among the clubs hit by the rescheduling of the Saudi Pro League. Escalating regional conflict has disrupted Saudi Arabian football, with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) postponing the 2027 Asian Cup and the Saudi Pro League (SPL) immediately suspending its next round of fixtures.
ADVERTISEMENT
The AFC announced on Tuesday that the 24-team tournament, originally scheduled to run from 7 January to 5 February 2027 across venues in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar, will now take place from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028. The decision followed extensive consultations with the local organising committee and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr hit as Saudi Pro League postpones matches after Asian Cup delay amid Middle East tensions
Officials cited “exceptional circumstances arising from developments in the region, including substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions.” The new dates will be submitted to FIFA for formal approval.
The postponement comes after a series of attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement. A missile strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport last month killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, described as the deadliest attack on Saudi soil in more than a decade. Further strikes followed in subsequent days.
Hours after the AFC announcement, the Saudi Pro League confirmed the postponement of Matchweek 13, which had been due to begin this week. In a statement, the league said the decision formed part of a wider review of the 2026-27 Roshn Saudi League fixture list. “The revised Asian Cup dates are creating additional flexibility in the domestic football calendar,” the SPL noted, adding that new dates would be announced once the review is complete.
This is not the first disruption this season. Several domestic matches were rescheduled earlier for logistical reasons linked to airport closures and travel restrictions. In the AFC Champions League Elite, Al-Nassr’s home fixture against UAE side Al-Wasl was postponed after the visitors declined to travel amid security concerns. A previous Al-Nassr match against Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana was delayed by an hour following reports of missile activity.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr affected
Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr has been among the clubs most visibly affected. The Portuguese forward and teammates, including Kingsley Coman, were rested for an away trip to Uzbekistan, with coach Ange Postecoglou citing the cumulative pressure of matches and extensive travel. Ronaldo has remained a high-profile presence in the kingdom, publicly expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid the instability.
Saudi football not the only sport affected
The football calendar is not alone in feeling the impact. The Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix was cancelled earlier this year, the WTA Finals were relocated from Riyadh to Indian Wells in the United States, and the 2027 Dakar Rally was moved to Portugal and Morocco. An exhibition tennis event featuring top players was also postponed.
Saudi organisers have insisted preparations for the Asian Cup continue with the same intensity despite the revised timeline. League officials plan discussions with clubs to redistribute fixtures more evenly across the remainder of the season. While domestic football has largely continued, the latest measures underscore how regional security concerns continue to reshape the sporting landscape in the Gulf.
ALSO READ: ‘Sportspeople I really admire’: Bayern Munich star Harry Kane reveals Virat Kohli’s message after winning Ballon d’Or left him star-struck
ADVERTISEMENT
