Asian Cup remains on track but golf tournament postponed in wake of Riyadh attack

Oct 16 : The Asian Cup soccer tournament is on track to take place in Saudi Arabia early next year, local organisers said on Friday, but golf's Asian Tour has postponed the Saudi International indefinitely in the aftermath of a deadly attack on Riyadh.

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for Saturday's strike on Riyadh's international airport, which killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300.

Australia also withdrew its team from the urban cycling World Championships on Friday, citing safety concerns over travelling to Riyadh, where the event is scheduled to take place in early November.

The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament in Riyadh has already been moved from October to December, while FIFA on Thursday postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 video game competition in the Saudi capital until an unspecified future date.

In that environment, serious questions were being asked over whether the 24-team Asian Cup could still go ahead in Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5 next year. 

Asian soccer chief Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said earlier this week that a postponement of the continental championships until 2028 was possible if necessary, but the local organising committee said on Friday they were sticking to the original schedule.

"Preparations across all organisational and operational areas are progressing according to the approved schedule, including work on venues, facilities and supporting services," it said in a statement.

"(The LOC) will continue to monitor developments relevant to the tournament and ensure the appropriate conditions are in place for its successful delivery."

ATTACKS DISRUPT SPORTS CALENDAR

The $5 million Saudi International, which is sponsored by Saudi Arabia's