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The Final Score

The Final Score

The Final Score: Will the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia go ahead amid escalating Middle East tensions?

Oct 13, 2026 · 8 min · 9 segments

For Singapore’s Lions, a historic first Asian Cup appearance is on the horizon. But with security concerns mounting in Saudi Arabia, uncertainty now surrounds the tournament scheduled for January…

For Singapore’s Lions, a historic first Asian Cup appearance is on the horizon. But with security concerns mounting in Saudi Arabia, uncertainty now surrounds the tournament scheduled for January 2027. What does this mean for the players and personnel, and the fans hoping to see them make history? We hear from head coach Gavin Lee, captain Hariss Harun and Singapore football supporters. *Join Neil Humphreys & Zia-ul Raushan - LIVE every weekday at 6.50am for The Final Score only on Let's Talk Singapore | Weekdays 6-10am* See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Singapore’s Lions, a historic first Asian Cup appearance is on the horizon. But with security concerns mounting in Saudi Arabia, uncertainty now surrounds the tournament scheduled for January…

Spotify Amazon Music Website

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeBiasNot political

Speakers: Neil HumphreysHostZia-ul RaushanHost

Top entities: Gavin Lee×9 AFC Asian Cup×13 Saudi Arabia×18 Asian Football Confederation×7 Hariss Harun×7

Should Singapore Travel to Saudi Arabia?0:39 – 2:14

Neil HumphreysHost

0:39

I have a question for all of our listeners this morning.

Neil HumphreysHost

0:42

So many of you joining us.

Neil HumphreysHost

0:43

Here's the question.

Neil HumphreysHost

0:45

Is the Saudi situation too dangerous for the Singapore Lions to go there in January for the Asian Cup? Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly famously said, some people think that football is a matter of life and death.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:02

I can assure you it is much more serious than that.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:05

Of course, he was being ironic.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:07

It was a joke because sport is never that important.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:12

And this presents, Raulshan, a serious dilemma for the Singapore Lions.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:16

They've proudly qualified for the Asian Cup.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:18

One of their finest achievements is in local football history, but it's being held in Saudi Arabia in January.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:26

Saudi Arabia's airports are currently experiencing deadly attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:34

Latest news, the Saudis are also retaliating now, bombing sites in Yemen.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:38

Who knows if this situation will be resolved in January, should the lions still go? Raushan, what do you think?

Zia-ul RaushanHost

1:47

It's absolutely worrying what's happening in the Middle East at the moment.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

1:51

And you're absolutely right to quote Bill Shankly, right? I think there are things far more important than football coming from a person who lives and breathes football.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:00

I think the security cannot be compromised even for a spectacle like this.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:05

We'll talk about possible solutions in a short while.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:07

But I tracked down Singapore National Team head coach Gavin Lee for his thoughts on the matter.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:13

Here's what he had to say.

Gavin LeePersonFootball coach
98%9 mentions
AFC Asian CupSports OrganizationFootball competition
93%13 mentions
Saudi ArabiaCountryCountry in the Middle East
88%18 mentions
Asian Football ConfederationSports OrganizationClub competition
83%7 mentions
Hariss HarunPersonSingaporean footballer
78%7 mentions
Singapore national football teamSports TeamFootball team
73%9 mentions
SingaporeCountryCountry in Asia
68%6 mentions
Neil HumphreysPersonBritish author and columnist
63%5 mentions
YemenCountryCountry in the Middle East
57%5 mentions
Football Association of SingaporeSports OrganizationLeague
53%3 mentions
Middle EastAdministrative AreaRegion
48%2 mentions
RiyadhCityCapital of Saudi Arabia
43%3 mentions
Bill ShanklyPersonScottish football player and manager
38%3 mentions
The Straits TimesPeriodicalSingaporean newspaper
33%1 mention
Singapore AirlinesAirlineAirline
28%3 mentions
ScootAirlineAirline
23%2 mentions
Liverpool F.C.Sports TeamFootball club
18%1 mention
AsiaContinentContinent
13%2 mentions
HouthisOrganization
5%1 mention
IranCountryCountry in the Middle East
5%1 mention

International TravelTravel
Singapore national team participationSports > Soccer > International Competitions > AFC Asian Cup
Saudi Arabia–Yemen conflictWar > Conflict and Security
Houthi attacks and Saudi retaliationWar > Conflict and Security > Saudi Arabia–Yemen conflict
Threats to Asian Cup host-city safetyWar > Conflict and Security > Saudi Arabia–Yemen conflict > Houthi attacks and Saudi retaliation
AFC contingency planningEvents > Sports Events > Tournament Management
Relocation or postponement of the Asian CupEvents > Sports Events > Tournament Management > AFC contingency planning
Singapore Airlines and Scoot flight cancellationsTravel > International Travel > Air Travel Disruptions
Risk PrioritizationEthics > Public Safety Ethics
Balancing sporting ambitions against human safetyEthics > Public Safety Ethics > Risk Prioritization
Tournament ManagementEvents > Sports Events
AFC Asian CupSports > Soccer > International Competitions
Conflict and SecurityWar
International CompetitionsSports > Soccer
Public Safety EthicsEthics
Air Travel DisruptionsTravel > International Travel
Sports
Events
SoccerSports
War
Sports EventsEvents
Travel
Ethics

Should Singapore Travel to Saudi Arabia?0:39 – 2:14

Neil HumphreysHost

0:39

I have a question for all of our listeners this morning.

Neil HumphreysHost

0:42

So many of you joining us.

Neil HumphreysHost

0:43

Here's the question.

Neil HumphreysHost

0:45

Is the Saudi situation too dangerous for the Singapore Lions to go there in January for the Asian Cup? Legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly famously said, some people think that football is a matter of life and death.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:02

I can assure you it is much more serious than that.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:05

Of course, he was being ironic.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:07

It was a joke because sport is never that important.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:12

And this presents, Raulshan, a serious dilemma for the Singapore Lions.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:16

They've proudly qualified for the Asian Cup.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:18

One of their finest achievements is in local football history, but it's being held in Saudi Arabia in January.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:26

Saudi Arabia's airports are currently experiencing deadly attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:34

Latest news, the Saudis are also retaliating now, bombing sites in Yemen.

Neil HumphreysHost

1:38

Who knows if this situation will be resolved in January, should the lions still go? Raushan, what do you think?

Zia-ul RaushanHost

1:47

It's absolutely worrying what's happening in the Middle East at the moment.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

1:51

And you're absolutely right to quote Bill Shankly, right? I think there are things far more important than football coming from a person who lives and breathes football.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:00

I think the security cannot be compromised even for a spectacle like this.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:05

We'll talk about possible solutions in a short while.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:07

But I tracked down Singapore National Team head coach Gavin Lee for his thoughts on the matter.

Zia-ul RaushanHost

2:13

Here's what he had to say.

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