Riffa: Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and First Vice President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), participated in the Saudi Arabia 2027 AFC Asian Cup draw ceremony. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim affirmed that the Saudi Arabia 2027 AFC Asian Cup finals will be exceptional by all standards.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the AFC President described the tournament as a platform to showcase the growing development of Asian football and strengthen the position of the AFC Asian Cup on the international stage. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim said the AFC continues to keep pace with football development across the continent amid the growth in the game's popularity and fan base, within the framework of cooperation between the continental federation and its member associations.
The AFC President commended the support provided by Saudi authorities for the success of the draw ceremony, expressing appreciation to the Ministry of Sports of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), and the local organising committee. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim said the success of the ceremony reflects cooperation between the AFC and relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia to present the event in a manner befitting the stature of Asian football.
The AFC President affirmed that the AFC Asian Cup has undergone comprehensive development in recent years, including expanding participation to 24 national teams and adopting high organisational standards aimed at presenting an Asian football product that reflects pride for all those involved in the game across the continent. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim expressed confidence in Saudi Arabia's ability to provide ideal conditions for hosting the continental tournament, citing the Kingdom's capabilities, organisational expertise, and advanced infrastructure.
The AFC President added that the AFC is working closely with relevant authorities in Saudi Arabia, particularly the SAFF and the local organising committee, to organise the best edition in the history of the AFC Asian Cup. Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim noted that Asia has become a major force in world football, highlighting the qualification of nine Asian national teams to the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a significant milestone for football in the continent.
The AFC President also expressed confidence in the participating teams' ability to present a strong image of Asian football at the Saudi Arabia 2027 AFC Asian Cup, reflecting the development of the game across Asia.