Asian Cup delay gives Roshn Saudi League ‘room to breathe’ – Waleed Al-Farraj

Saudi media presenter Waleed Al-Farraj has welcomed the postponement of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, saying the decision will allow the Roshn Saudi League to “breathe”.

The Asian Football Confederation announced on Tuesday that the tournament will no longer begin in January 2027. Instead, it will be held from December of the same year.

Al-Farraj responded in a post on his personal X account, saying the 11-month delay would ease the considerable pressure placed on Saudi football’s players, coaches, referees, supporters, media and logistics teams.

“Postponing the Asian Cup for 11 months has given Saudi football competitions an opportunity to catch their breath after the tremendous pressure endured by the players, coaches, referees, fans, media and those responsible for logistical services in the league,” he wrote.

He added: “Playing a match every three days took the enjoyment out of the game, and quantity became more important than quality.

“Hopefully this will be for the best. The league can breathe, the facilities can be completed normally and the state of emergency is over. We can now work calmly.”

The Roshn Saudi League Association had already decided to postpone the competition’s 13th round, with the matches to be played at a later date.

That decision followed the announcement on the Asian Cup and was intended to make use of the additional time available without creating further fixture congestion.