Saudi to kick off 2027 Asian Cup against Palestine in Riyadh

  Saudi Arabia ⁠will kick off next year's Asian Cup ​against Palestine in ​Riyadh on January 7, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said on Monday after confirming the tournament schedule and venues.
* The 24-team continental championship will run from ⁠January 7 to February 5, with ⁠the opening match and final both scheduled at Riyadh's King Fahd Sports City Stadium.
* The tournament ‌remains under scrutiny amid regional ​security concerns. ⁠AFC President Sheikh Salman bin ​Ibrahim Al Khalifa earlier ‌said that postponement to 2028 remained a possibility if ​required.
* The tournament will feature 51 matches across eight stadiums in three cities: Riyadh (five venues), Jeddah (two) and Al Khobar (one).
* Defending champions Qatar begin their ‌title defence against Thailand on January ​11, while Japan open their campaign against Indonesia ​the ‌same ⁠day.
* South Korea face Yemen, Australia take on Singapore and Iran meet China ​in their opening matches.
* The group ⁠stage concludes ​on January 20, with the knockout rounds beginning on January 22.
* Saudi Arabia will host the Asian Cup for the ​first time, seven years before ​it stages the 2034 World Cup.
 — Reuters