The Asian Football Confederation unveils the official ball for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup and approves the base camps for all 24 participating teams; the tournament kicks off on January 7 across eight stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar

Riyadh | BETH

Preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 have entered the full operational phase, 100 days before the tournament begins, with the Asian Football Confederation unveiling the official match ball under the name “Khuzama”, approving the base camps for all 24 participating teams, while final inspections of the tournament stadiums will take place next November. The tournament will run from January 7 to February 5, 2027, marking Saudi Arabia’s first hosting of the AFC Asian Cup.

The ball takes its name from the wild lavender flower found across the Kingdom, and its design features the color purple, inspired by the symbolism of welcome and hospitality.

The participating teams are: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Bahrain, North Korea, Jordan, Iran, Syria, Kyrgyzstan, China, Australia, Tajikistan, Iraq, Singapore, South Korea, the UAE, Vietnam, Yemen, Japan, Qatar, Thailand, and Indonesia. Yemen was the final team to qualify after defeating Lebanon 2-0 in June.

The matches will be played across eight stadiums:

Riyadh: King Fahd Sports City, King Saud University Stadium, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University Stadium, Kingdom Arena, and Al-Shabab Club Stadium.
Jeddah: King Abdullah Sports City and Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City.
Al Khobar: Aramco Stadium.

Saudi Arabia will open its campaign against Palestine on January 7, while the final will be held on February 5, as part of a schedule featuring 51 matches.