The 24-team tournament will now take place from Dec 23, 2027 to Jan 21, 2028. (EPA Images pic)
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AFC Postpones 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Unrest

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia Asian Cup Plans Continue Amid Security Concerns
Saudi Arabia Asian Cup Plans Continue Amid Security Concerns
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Kocaelispor fans hold up yellow plastic bags as a provocative anti-Kurdish symbol during a match against Amedspor at Kocaeli Stadium, beneath the banner of the home team's supporter group, Hodri Meydan.
Amedspor Supporters Stand Firm Against Hostile Provocations in Kocaeli
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The history of the World Cup and War
War, Politics, and the World Cup: Why 1942 and 1946 Never Happened
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US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)
World Cup 2026: Lower Government Costs, Higher Costs for Fans
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Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to officiate at matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup but was denied entry to the United States, is received as he arrives at the Aden Abdulle Osman International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia June 10, 2026.
White House World Cup Envoy Defends Visa Denials for Somali Referee and Iranian Officials
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Iraq’s then-captain Younis Mahmoud (C) lifts the championship trophy alongside teammates after defeating Saudi Arabia in the Asian Cup final in Jakarta, July 29, 2007. Photo: Bay Ismoyo/AFP
Iraq Football Legend Younis Mahmoud Wins Election to Lead National Federation
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Iraq’s Australian coach Graham Arnold celebrates with the fans [Julio Cesar Aguilar/AFP]
High Costs, Strict Visa Vetting Threaten to Keep Iraqi Soccer Fans from World Cup
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Members of Iran's national football team attend a farewell ceremony ahead of their departure for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in Tehran on May 13, 2026.
Iran’s Football Team Heads to Turkey Amid War Tensions Before 2026 World Cup
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Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani (L) and Kurdish mixed martial artist Namo Fazil (R).
Qubad Talabani Praises Namo Fazil, Calls Him Symbol of Kurdish Strength
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Barcelona's players celebrate with the trophy after a Spanish league soccer match between FC Barcelona and Levante in Barcelona, Spain, on April 27, 2019. FC Barcelona won 1-0 and claimed the Spanish league champion with three matches to spare. Xinhua/Joan Gosa
El Clasico Could Crown Barcelona La Liga Champions
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WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 15: FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks at the Semafor World Economy 2026 summit on April 15, 2026 in Washington, DC. The summit brings together business leaders and tech CEOs for discussions on economy, artificial intelligence and business trends. Alex Wong/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by ALEX WONG / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
FIFA President Infantino Confirms Iran Will Play at World Cup Despite War
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Two members of the Iraqi national team celebrated their World Cup qualification by raising both the Kurdistan and Iraqi flags
Iraq Secures World Cup Berth with 2-1 Victory Over Bolivia
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The official World Cup trophy is displayed during its presentation within the FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour at BBVA Stadium in Guadalupe, Nuevo Leon, Mexico on March 14, 2026. (Photo by Julio Cesar AGUILAR / AFP)
Iran Says It Boycotts US but Not 2026 World Cup, FA President Says
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Iraq national football team head coach Graham Arnold
Iraq Coach Graham Arnold Urges FIFA Help as Conflict Threatens World Cup Playoff
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Paris Saint-Germain's Moroccan defender #02 Achraf Hakimi looks on during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Atalanta (ITA) at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on September 17, 2025.
PSG’s Achraf Hakimi Ordered to Stand Trial on Rape Charge
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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 19: President of FIFA Gianni Infantino speaks during the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on February 19, 2026 in Washington, DC. Assembled to raise money for the rebuilding and stabilization of Gaza, Trump's Board of Peace was formally established on the sidelines of World Economic Forum in January of 2026. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by CHIP SOMODEVILLA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
IOC Says FIFA’s Gaza Investment Plan Aligns With Role of Global Sports Federations
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File Photo: The World Cup Trophy displayed ahead of the draw of the groups of the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland. AFP
FIFA Says World Cup Draws Over 500 Million Ticket Requests Despite Price Backlash
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A Cruz Azul supporter reacts during the FIFA Derby of the Americas match between Cruz Azul and Flamengo at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha on December 10, 2025. (Photo by Karim JAAFAR / AFP)
FIFA Adds $60 Ticket Tier After Fan Backlash Over 2026 World Cup Prices
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Fans hold posters of Argentinian football star Lionel Messi as they cheer from the stands before his arrival during the GOAT India Tour 2025 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on December 13, 2025. Messi will unveil a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in India on December 13, as he embarks on a three-day tour of the country that has sparked a fan frenzy. (Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)
Messi Draws Massive Crowds in India as Stadium Chaos Erupts After Early Exit
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Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
Mohamed Salah Says He Was ‘Thrown Under the Bus’ as Rift With Slot Deepens
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Jordan's midfielder #10 Musa al-Tamari celebrates his team's win at the end of the Qatar 2023 AFC Asian Cup football match between Iraq and Jordan at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on January 29, 2024. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)
Iraq Targets Top Spot as Sudan Seeks First Win in Arab Cup Clash
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A picture shows groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K and L during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025. (Photo by Roberto SCHMIDT / AFP)
FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Sets Stage for Historic Tournament Across North America
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