Local Organising Committee Board Convenes Inaugural Meeting for AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ in Jeddah

2025-05-02
16:57:14

Jeddah, April 30, 2025 – The Board of Directors of the Local Organising Committee for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ convened its inaugural meeting on Wednesday in Jeddah. The session was chaired by Mr. Yasser Al Misehal, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, and attended by His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It was held on the sidelines of the Kingdom’s hosting of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025 Finals.

The meeting reviewed the latest updates related to Saudi Arabia’s first-ever hosting of the prestigious tournament. This included ongoing development works at stadiums and sports infrastructure, as well as direct coordination with the AFC Asian Cup Organising Committee to ensure that all phases of preparation are implemented to the highest standards set by the Confederation.

The Board reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment—under the guidance of its wise leadership—to delivering an exceptional edition of Asia’s premier football competition, one that meets the expectations of fans across the continent and reinforces Saudi Arabia’s rising profile as a host of major international sporting events.

Yasser Al Misehal noted that the inaugural meeting was both positive and productive, helping strengthen collaboration across the LOC’s various teams. He added:
“I extend my sincere thanks to His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa for attending the inaugural Board meeting. We discussed the progress made by the LOC in recent months, and we remain steadfast in our mission to deliver a comprehensive tournament, supported by our leadership and closely followed by His Royal Highness the Minister of Sport—whose backing has greatly contributed to establishing the Kingdom’s status on the global sporting map.”

Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim reaffirmed the AFC’s trust in the Kingdom and the LOC, stating:
“We are confident in the Kingdom’s ability to host the most outstanding edition in the history of the AFC Asian Cup. The AFC continues to work closely with the LOC, and through our collective efforts, we are certain that football fans across Asia will enjoy an exceptional experience at the continent’s biggest football event.”

The tournament will be held across three major cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar—featuring matches in eight stadiums. These include King Fahd Sports City Stadium in Riyadh, currently undergoing comprehensive renovations; King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah; and a newly built stadium in Al Khobar.

Other venues include King Saud University Stadium, Al Shabab Club Stadium, and Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, as well as Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium, which is currently being upgraded to increase its capacity and enhance its facilities in line with AFC regulations.