AFC Sets Thailand's Asian Cup 2027 Group Schedule
The AFC has released Thailand's Group F schedule for the 2027 Asian Cup, with the War Elephants set to face Qatar, Japan, and Indonesia in January 2027. The announcement comes despite escalating conflict in host nation Saudi Arabia, where Houthi attacks and Saudi retaliatory strikes have prompted travel warnings. The AFC continues to evaluate whether to delay or relocate the tournament, with a decision expected by mid-November.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the Group F match schedule for Thailand's national team, the War Elephants, despite ongoing tensions in Saudi Arabia. Houthi rebel attacks on Riyadh's international airport and Saudi retaliatory strikes have raised security concerns across the Middle East and Persian Gulf, prompting several countries to advise their citizens against travel to Saudi Arabia and to leave the area as soon as possible.
Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the 2027 Asian Cup from January 7 to February 5, 2027. However, the AFC has been holding frequent discussions with tournament organizers to assess the situation and decide how to proceed — whether to postpone the tournament by 12 months to January 2028 or move it to another prepared Gulf nation, with Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as leading candidates.
Although a final decision on the hosting arrangement is expected by mid-November, the AFC has already released the group stage schedule. Thailand, drawn in Group F alongside Qatar, Japan, and Indonesia, will open against Qatar on January 11 at 23:30 at Imam Mohammed bin Saud Stadium in Riyadh. Their second match is against Japan on January 16 at 17:30 at Al-Shabab Stadium in Riyadh, and the third against Indonesia on January 20 at 17:00 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah.
