Attention is turning toward the upcoming football fixtures in Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom prepares to host the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026, scheduled to kick off on January 6, with the participation of 16 Asian national teams. The official website of the Asian Football Confederation highlighted the four stadiums expected to host the tournament matches in the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah, where 32 matches will be played during the competition.
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium (Riyadh):
This iconic stadium in Riyadh will host six matches in the group stage, comprising three matches from Group C and three from Group D. The stadium has a capacity of 22,000 spectators and is among the venues nominated to host matches of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The stadium retains a rich sporting heritage and recently hosted a match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Al-Shabab Club Stadium (Riyadh):
Opened in 1984, the stadium has a capacity of 14,000 spectators and will host six additional group-stage matches, divided between Group C and Group D. It also served as the venue that hosted the launch of the new match format during the King’s Cup in 2019.
King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium (Jeddah):
With a seating capacity of 3,055 spectators, this venue will host a more diverse set of matches, totaling 10 games, including six group-stage matches, two quarterfinals, one semifinal, and the third-place playoff. The stadium previously hosted matches during the AFC U-17 Asian Cup 2025.
Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium (Jeddah):
This stadium will serve as the main hub of the tournament, hosting 10 matches, including the final of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Built in 1970, the stadium has a seating capacity of 24,159 spectators and is the home ground of Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli clubs. It recently hosted matches of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024–2025.
These stadiums are fully equipped with all the necessary facilities to host Asia’s top talents in a professional sporting atmosphere that supports delivering an outstanding edition of the continental tournament.
United News Network – UNN Arabic
An independent media platform that provides reliable news and objective analysis, and seeks to promote peace and cultural dialogue around the world, to convey the truth and build bridges of understanding between peoples.
For more news, visit our homepage:
https://un-news.org
