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AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Dates and Venues Announced

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Dates and Venues Announced
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AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Dates and Venues Announced

AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Dates and Venues Announced

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and AFC Asian Cup 2027 local organizing committee announced in a press release on Tuesday that the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 is set to take place from January 7 to February 5, 2027.
The 19th edition of Asia's premier football tournament will kick off on Thursday, January 7, 2027, culminating with the final match on Friday, February 5, 2027, promising an exciting experience for football fans across the continent.
The release said the tournament will feature eight stadiums across three host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. Each city will be anchored by a main stadium.
In Riyadh, the spotlight will be on King Fahd Sports City Stadium, currently undergoing extensive upgrades to meet the highest standards.
Jeddah will host matches at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also known as “The Shining Jewel,” which recently hosted the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup Final, SPA reported.
In Al Khobar, the newly constructed Stadium will be the centerpiece of the Eastern Region.
In addition to these main venues, Riyadh will also feature King Saud University Stadium, Al Shabab Stadium, and Kingdom Arena, along with the revamped Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, which will see its seating capacity expanded to 21,000 and all facilities upgraded to meet AFC standards.
Jeddah will also host matches at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium, which previously hosted several matches during the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.
Saudi Arabian Football Federation President Yasser Al Misehal described the announcement of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 timeline as a key milestone in the Kingdom’s journey toward hosting the tournament.
“The local organizing committee is committed to delivering an exceptional edition of the Asian Cup that meets the high expectations of football fans across the continent,” Al Misehal said.
He added: “The success of this endeavor is a result of the unwavering support from our leadership and the guidance of Minister of Sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, which has positioned the Saudi Arabian Football Federation among the leading football associations in the region.”
Al Misehal expressed gratitude to AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and the entire AFC team for their ongoing support.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 builds on the Kingdom’s recent success in organizing major international sports events, a key part of Saudi Vision 2030. The Kingdom has recently hosted high-profile football tournaments, including the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the Spanish and Italian Super Cups. It is also set to host the final stages of this season’s AFC Champions League Elite, alongside major events in other sports, such as Formula 1 and the Dakar Rally.
According to the release, 18 nations have qualified for the tournament: Saudi Arabia (host nation), Australia, Iraq, Uzbekistan, Iran, Qatar, UAE, Japan, Korea Republic, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, Bahrain, China PR, Indonesia, DPR Korea, Kuwait, and the Kyrgyz Republic.
Six remaining spots will be determined through the final round of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers.

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Alcaraz Calls for End to Late-night Finishes at Grand Slams

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
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Alcaraz Calls for End to Late-night Finishes at Grand Slams

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses on the black carpet upon arrival to attend the Laver Cup opening night gala, in Greenwich, east London on September 24, 2026. (Photo by Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

Carlos Alcaraz has had enough of pulling all-nighters at Grand Slams, urging organizers to finish play by 11 p.m. after his US Open title defense came to an end in a grueling 3:33 a.m. finish earlier this month.

Ben Shelton beat Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the US Open in the latest-ever finish at the year's final Grand Slam.

Prior to that, three matches ended after 2 a.m. during the tournament's opening week, while two more ran well beyond midnight and Venus Williams was involved in the latest-starting clash that began at 12:13 a.m.

"I think it's too much," seven-times Grand Slam champion Alcaraz told reporters in London on Thursday ahead of the Laver Cup.

"The last match people stayed but if ⁠that match was ⁠played earlier, the court could have been packed.

"I would like to change the schedule a little with a maximum finish at 11 p.m., or whatever would be better."

The United States Tennis Association, which organizes the US Open, did not immediately respond to a Reuters emailed request for comment outside regular business hours, but the body has said it will evaluate scheduling options in ⁠the future.

Other Grand Slams have taken action to curb late finishes, with Wimbledon halting play under an 11 p.m. local curfew and the French Open limiting night sessions to one match.

The issue has gained traction amid a broader pushback by top players over working conditions, including a packed competitive calendar.

Andre Agassi, captain of Team World at the Laver Cup, stressed the need for guaranteed downtime at the end of the season.

"It would be my hope (for) an off-season of some relative form of security for both the players, but also for the fans so that ⁠they look ⁠forward to the game," the eight-times Grand Slam champion told reporters.

"I think in a lot of cases, tennis would benefit from that."

Asked about where the Laver Cup, which is named after Australian great Rod Laver and borders on being an exhibition event, fits into the tennis schedule, Agassi replied: "I think this is a fantastic event.

"I'd hate to see the compromise ever come on an event like this that is hosted under such a magnificent name and person that none of us would be here today without in this game.

"So this wouldn't be the place I would choose to cut some edges. But I would like to see these awesome athletes always be at their best. I think everybody wins with that."

Sports

Scaloni Says he Did his Best to Convince Messi to Return for Argentina Farewell

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
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Scaloni Says he Did his Best to Convince Messi to Return for Argentina Farewell

Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)
Argentina's head coach Lionel Scaloni speaks with the press after a training session at the Argentine Football Association (AFA) training camp in Ezeiza, Buenos Aires Province, on September 24, 2026, ahead of the friendly matches against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. (Photo by JUAN MABROMATA / AFP)

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he "pushed hard" to ensure Lionel Messi would return to the national team for a farewell match soon after announcing his retirement because he was not sure he would be in charge to orchestrate it later.

Messi announced his retirement from international football in August, just over a month after Argentina were beaten 1-0 by Spain in the World Cup final.

However, the former Barcelona and Paris St Germain forward was called up weeks later by Scaloni to make a final appearance in a home ⁠friendly against Benin ⁠at Buenos Aires' Monumental Stadium on October 6.

"I believe that a player like him deserves this. Personally, I did my part because I wanted to be at his farewell," Scaloni told reporters on Thursday.

"Since I don't know if I would be here later, we ⁠pushed hard so that he could be in this match.

We knew everything he was going through and even so, he put in the desire and effort to want to come and be able to say goodbye with his people, with the people who love him so much.

"If we have to pay tribute, we have to do it at this moment. With him, it will never stop, but later, the magic might not be ⁠the same."

Scaloni, ⁠who guided Argentina to the 2022 World Cup title and two Copa America triumphs, will be out of his contract in December.

Asked if he had received an update on his future, Scaloni said he would meet with Argentine Football Association president Claudio Tapia in the coming days.

"It is a dream come true, but that doesn't mean I have to cling to the job forever," AFP quoted the 48-year-old as saying.

"There are certain conditions we need to discuss with the president and we'll see if we can reach an agreement."

Sports

Harimoto Hails New Era as Japan Dethrone Table Tennis Kings China

Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Table Tennis - Men's Team Final - Sky Hall Toyota, Toyota, Japan - September 24, 2026 Gold medallists Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto, Sora Matsushima, Shunsuke Togami, Yukiya Uda and Hiroto Shinozuka celebrate on the podium after winning the Men's Team Final with silver medallists China's Youzheng Huang, Shidong Lin, Chuqin Wang, Ruibo Wen and Peng Xiang REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Table Tennis - Men's Team Final - Sky Hall Toyota, Toyota, Japan - September 24, 2026 Gold medallists Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto, Sora Matsushima, Shunsuke Togami, Yukiya Uda and Hiroto Shinozuka celebrate on the podium after winning the Men's Team Final with silver medallists China's Youzheng Huang, Shidong Lin, Chuqin Wang, Ruibo Wen and Peng Xiang REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
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Harimoto Hails New Era as Japan Dethrone Table Tennis Kings China

Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Table Tennis - Men's Team Final - Sky Hall Toyota, Toyota, Japan - September 24, 2026 Gold medallists Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto, Sora Matsushima, Shunsuke Togami, Yukiya Uda and Hiroto Shinozuka celebrate on the podium after winning the Men's Team Final with silver medallists China's Youzheng Huang, Shidong Lin, Chuqin Wang, Ruibo Wen and Peng Xiang REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge
Asian Games - Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - Table Tennis - Men's Team Final - Sky Hall Toyota, Toyota, Japan - September 24, 2026 Gold medallists Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto, Sora Matsushima, Shunsuke Togami, Yukiya Uda and Hiroto Shinozuka celebrate on the podium after winning the Men's Team Final with silver medallists China's Youzheng Huang, Shidong Lin, Chuqin Wang, Ruibo Wen and Peng Xiang REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

Tomokazu Harimoto said Japan had overcome their inferiority complex after ending table tennis powerhouse China's 32-year run as Asian Games men's team champions in a nail-biting final.

China had won gold in the event at every Games since 1994 but they were dethroned by Japan after Sora Matsushima beat Wen Ruibo in the decisive match to win 3-2.

The Japan team also featured Harimoto, whose parents were both born in China and whose mother once represented the country at the world championships.

"That we beat them was proof that we had lacked confidence before," said Harimoto, whose sister Miwa plays for Japan's women's team.

"I'm happy, but looking at the actual contest, there was nothing unusual about the way we played or the outcome.

"We just managed to attain the one thing we'd been missing -- confidence."

China's team featured world number one Wang Chuqin but his team-mates Lin Shidong and Wen are respectively ranked eighth and 15th in the world.

Japan had two top-five players in number three Matsushima and number four Harimoto.

"China used to have six or seven strong players, that's why their era lasted 10 or 20 years," AFP quoted Harimoto as saying.

"Now with two of us in the world top five, Matsushima and I can win like this."

Harimoto could not bring himself to watch the final match from the team bench after beating Wang to level it at 2-2.

"I thought it was better not to go back, a bit like a superstition," said Harimoto.

"If I was on the bench, Matsushima would see me. He probably wouldn't mind, but I minded."

Wang won the opening match against Matsushima but lost 3-0 against Harimoto.

The Chinese player said: "Psychologically, I ran into problems.”

"Perhaps we panicked a little in trying to be better, and rushed some shots," he said.

China got their own back in the women's team final, beating Japan 3-0.

But the men's defeat left a bitter taste in the mouths of Chinese fans, who vented their anger on social media.

"The men's team, despite enjoying the best resources and treatment, suffers from lack of continuity and a talent gap," one user wrote on Weibo.

"There is no one coming through," wrote another.