AFC Launches 100-Day Countdown to AFC Asian Cup 2027, Unveils New Initiatives
Marking exactly 100 days until the opening of the AFC Asian Cup 2027, the Asian Cup 2027 Organising Committee held an online meeting on the afternoon of 29 September to review preparations for the continent’s premier football tournament. Mr. Trần Quốc Tuấn, AFC Executive Committee Member, AFC Competitions Committee Chair and President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), attended the meeting as a member of the Organising Committee.
29/09/2026 18:42:56
Modern Technology Bringing the AFC Asian Cup Closer to World Cup Standards
At the meeting, the AFC outlined a number of innovative measures expected to be introduced at the AFC Asian Cup 2027 to enhance operational efficiency, broadcast quality and the matchday experience for participating teams, while gradually aligning the tournament with the demanding standards of the FIFA World Cup. These include:
The Multi-Ball Protocol will be introduced to replace the traditional ball-kids system. By placing multiple match balls around the pitch, the system is expected to help maintain the flow of play, reduce stoppages and enhance transparency during matches.
The Referee Camera, a camera worn by the referee, will be widely introduced for the first time to enhance the broadcast experience, giving viewers a more authentic and close-up perspective of on-field decisions.
The Digital Substitution System (DSS), which was trialled at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, will be officially introduced in the men’s tournament in 2027. Teams will submit substitution requests directly via tablets, with the information transmitted to the fourth official, allowing substitutions to be monitored accurately in real time. Substitution and red-card information will also be synchronised and displayed immediately through the TV graphics system.
Beyond technology, the AFC is also placing greater emphasis on the emotional and personal experience of the tournament. At the opening match, the Organising Committee will work with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to invite singers to perform the national anthems of the participating countries live.
In addition to medals, the players, head coach and president of the champion team will receive a miniature version of the trophy. Players will also be allowed to meet their family members and friends after matches in designated areas, subject to strict security and identification measures.
Saudi Arabia Steps Up Final Preparations for the Final Stage
Representatives of the Saudi Arabia Local Organising Committee (LOC) provided a detailed update on preparations for the tournament. Over the past two years, a team of 175 LOC staff members has been working at full capacity to complete all organisational preparations.
Stadium infrastructure: Preparations are entering the final stage, with efforts focused on completing the stadiums, training venues and team base camps for all 24 participating teams. The host country is currently conducting test matches at all eight stadiums across the three host cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. Five stadiums in the capital Riyadh have already been completed, while the three venues in Jeddah and Al Khobar are in the final stages of preparation. The process is expected to be completed with the final test matches scheduled for the first week of December 2026.
Logistics and hospitality: The AFC Asian Cup 2027 is expected to attract 1.4 million spectators to 51 matches. The tournament’s service system includes more than 300 volunteers, 31 hotels and 27 dedicated training pitches. Notably, the organisers are implementing an integrated digital system under which a match ticket will also serve as an entry visa to Saudi Arabia. The detailed match schedule, fixtures and venue information have been finalised. Ticket sales have now reached 70 percent following the draw.
First Introduction of an Integrated Team Base Camp Model
The 2027 tournament marks the first time the AFC will implement a fixed team base camp model across three major cities, with a network of 63 hotels. The management system includes one main operations centre in Riyadh, three regional operations centres, eight stadium operations centres and one AFC central command centre.
To serve fans, each host city will also establish dedicated Fan Zones with a strong local identity near the stadiums, each with a capacity of approximately 10,000 people. Numerous Saudi government and non-government agencies are working around the clock, seven days a week, employing the latest technologies across all stages of the tournament, from airport reception, ceremonies and hotel services to pitch maintenance and assisting spectators with flight and match ticket bookings.
AFC Activates Major Broadcast and Media Campaign
Starting on 29 September, the 100-day countdown campaign to the opening of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 was officially launched across the continent. The campaign features ambassadors, football legends, media organisations and prominent public figures and KOLs.
The AFC and its Member Associations will work closely together to intensify both online and offline promotional activities, fan engagement programmes and the launch of the official match ball. Meanwhile, the tournament’s opening ceremony is expected to be a spectacular artistic programme celebrating Asia’s heritage, traditions and vision for the future. Commercial and promotional products are also being finalised for market launch.
At the AFC Asian Cup 2027, Vietnam have been drawn in Group E alongside South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The group is expected to present a challenging test for head coach Kim Sang Sik and his players.
With the official launch of the “100-Day Countdown” campaign, the AFC Asian Cup 2027 is now counting down to what promises to be a major football festival, bringing together high-level competition, excitement and emotion on the biggest stage in Asian football.
