FOOTBALL – Bahrain will have to wait longer to learn of their preliminary round group in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced yesterday that the official draw, which was scheduled to take place on April 11 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has been postponed.
The decision was taken after careful consideration to ensure the undisrupted attendance of all stakeholders at the ceremony, the AFC said in a statement.
The AFC expressed its appreciation to the tournament’s local organising committee for their full readiness to host the draw as planned, and it appreciates the understanding and continued co-operation of its participating member associations, fans, and stakeholders, it added.
Further updates on the new arrangements for the draw will be communicated in due course, the AFC said.
Bahrain’s senior men’s football national team are one of 24 squads who will be competing in the upcoming edition of the continental tournament, which is to be held from January to February next year across three cities in Saudi.
Bahrain are one of 21 nations to already book their places in the event.
The others are defending champions Qatar; former winners Australia, Iraq, Iran, Japan, South Korea, and Kuwait; and Uzbekistan, the UAE, Oman, Palestine, Jordan, China, Indonesia, North Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Singapore, Vietnam, and hosts Saudi, who are also ex-titlists.
The last three spots will be determined on Tuesday next week.
They are being contested between Tajikistan and the Philippines, Lebanon and Yemen, and between Thailand and Turkmenistan.
Bahrain will be playing in the AFC event for the eighth time, including for the seventh straight edition.