600 volunteers to support AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026

Six hundred volunteers will support the organization of the seventh edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026, which will be hosted in Riyadh and Jeddah from 6 to 24 January, with 16 national teams from across Asia competing. 

As the world marks International Volunteer Day on 5 December, the milestone reflects the vital role of volunteerism in advancing the first pillar of Saudi Vision 2030: building a vibrant society. Sports volunteering has become a key driver in the success of major events and international tournaments, and a defining feature of the Kingdom’s fast-growing sports sector. 

The Local Organizing Committee for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™️ selected 600 volunteers from a pool of 5,000 registered applicants. Those selected will undergo both general and specialized training—totalling 12 hours per volunteer—before being assigned to roles across media operations, protocol, marketing, medical services, training venues, transportation, accommodation, and workforce management. 

The LOC continues to adopt international best practices to elevate the volunteer experience, following its successful leadership of volunteer programs in three major tournaments. These included 2,520 volunteer hours in Abha and 35,700 hours in Jeddah and Taif during the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2025, the Gulf U-20 Cup Saudi Arabia 2025, and the final stages of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25. 

Matches of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 in Riyadh and Jeddah represent a key milestone in the Kingdom’s preparations to host the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™️, further demonstrating Saudi Arabia’s readiness and growing capability to deliver continental and global sporting events to the highest international standards.