Fans and players are gearing up for a glimpse of the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom prepares to host the 2027 Asian Cup.
Officials announced on Tuesday the tournament’s dates, running from January 7 to February 5, and unveiled the host cities and venues for the prestigious event.
Key Details of the 2027 Asian Cup:
- Host Cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar.
- Stadiums:
- King Fahd Sports City Stadium (Riyadh): 70,000 capacity.
- King Saud University Stadium (Riyadh): Also set for World Cup games.
- King Abdullah Sports City Stadium (Jeddah): 60,000 capacity.
- Total Venues: Eight stadiums will host matches across the three cities.
Strategic Milestone
Yasser al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, described the announcement as a “strategic milestone” in their journey to hosting the tournament and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s growing presence on the global football stage.
Background
- The 2027 Asian Cup will feature 24 teams.
- Saudi Arabia was controversially awarded the 2034 World Cup in December 2024.
- Qatar, the 2022 World Cup host, won the 2019 Asian Cup.
- The tournament was initially set for China in 2023 but was moved due to the country’s Covid-19 policies at the time.
The countdown to the event begins, with Saudi Arabia aiming to build momentum for its 2034 World Cup hosting debut.