Sports
Saudi security concerns ripple through Asian football as Al Nassr rests Ronaldo
November 2, 2026 at 02:28 AM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English · over 4 hours
Saudi Arabia's security situation is disrupting Asian football, with Al Nassr resting Cristiano Ronaldo and officials questioning the January Asian Cup.
- Al Nassr coach Ange Postecoglou rested Cristiano Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan for Monday's Champions League match at Pakhtakor in Tashkent.
- Al Nassr's previous Champions League game was postponed after Al-Wasl declined to travel to Riyadh, and its Oct. 12 home match was delayed by an hour after reports of Houthi missile attacks.
- AFC president Sheikh Salman said the federation can wait until late November before deciding whether to move the Asian Cup to 2028.
- Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto said he doubts the Jan. 7 Asian Cup will go ahead in Saudi Arabia as planned.