The AFC Champions League match for the 2026-2027 season between Al Wasl from the United Arab Emirates and Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia, which was scheduled for Monday, October 26, has been postponed to a later date. The game was planned to take place at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but a new date has not yet been announced.
The postponement was caused by disruptions in transportation between the UAE and Saudi Arabia. This is linked to renewed threats and attacks by the Houthi rebel movement, supported by Iran from Yemen, against Saudi airports. As a result of these events, numerous flight cancellations and delays have been reported.
The disruptions affected the operations of several airlines, including Emirates, flydubai, flynas, and Saudia. Cancellations concerned flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Medina, and Dammam. Passengers were advised to check the status of their flights with the respective airlines before traveling to the airport, as schedules may change.
Saudi Civil Defense reported that debris resulting from the interception of two ballistic missiles launched by Houthis from Yemen caused injuries to two people and damaged three residential buildings and seven vehicles. These fragments fell in the provinces of Khamis Mushait and Ahad Rafidah.
Earlier, early Sunday morning, October 25, warning sirens sounded in the Riyadh region to alert residents to potential danger. Meanwhile, Iran-affiliated Houthis from Yemen once again issued a warning to airlines, airport staff, and travelers about the inadvisability of using King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. A group representative stated that the airport was unsafe early Sunday morning and remains a 'military target.'
Saudi Arabia and the government it supports in Yemen have been subjected to constant attacks by Houthis in recent weeks. This shifts the focus of the broader war between the US and Iran, which began in February.