Football fans will no longer see Qatar take on Saudi Arabia in their planned international friendly on 27 December 2026. The Qatar Football Association (QFA) confirmed on 5 November that the match, scheduled to take place in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, has been cancelled.
The decision was made in coordination with the Saudi national team after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rescheduled the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.
The tournament has been moved from January 2027 to December 2027, changing the preparation plans for participating teams.
Why was the Qatar vs Saudi Arabia match cancelled?
The friendly was originally planned for 27 December 2026 in Al Khobar as part of the teams’ preparations for the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
However, the AFC announced on 3 November that the tournament would move to new dates. Following this decision, Qatar and Saudi Arabia agreed to cancel their December friendly.
The Qatar Football Association confirmed the cancellation in an official announcement on 5 November.
AFC Asian Cup 2027 gets new dates
The AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 was originally scheduled to take place from 7 January to 5 February 2027.
The tournament has now been rescheduled to:
- New start date: 23 December 2027
- New final date: 21 January 2028
- Host country: Saudi Arabia
The AFC said the change followed exceptional regional circumstances, including logistical challenges and travel disruptions. The revised dates are subject to FIFA approval.
What happens to Qatar’s football schedule?
The cancellation means Qatar will not play the planned friendly against Saudi Arabia on 27 December 2026.
The QFA announcement did not confirm a replacement opponent or a new date for the fixture.
Further details about Qatar’s upcoming international matches and preparation plans are expected through official announcements.
Will Saudi Arabia still host the AFC Asian Cup 2027?
Yes. Saudi Arabia remains the host country, but the tournament will now take place across the revised dates in late 2027 and early 2028.
The competition will bring together 24 national teams from across Asia.
Frequently asked questions
Is Qatar vs Saudi Arabia cancelled?
Yes. The international friendly scheduled for 27 December 2026 has been cancelled.
Where was the match supposed to take place?
The match was scheduled to take place in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Why was the Qatar-Saudi Arabia friendly cancelled?
It was cancelled following the AFC’s decision to reschedule the AFC Asian Cup 2027.
When will the AFC Asian Cup 2027 take place?
The revised dates are 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028, subject to FIFA approval.
Will Saudi Arabia still host the Asian Cup?
Yes. Saudi Arabia remains the host country.
Has Qatar announced another friendly match?
The QFA announcement did not mention a replacement fixture.
