The US and Israel conflict with Iran has led to the postponement of sporting events in the region, while competitions elsewhere have been hit by travel disruptions, with thousands of flights canceled at some of the world’s busiest transit hubs.
F1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cancelled, and Qatar MotoGP postponed
Formula One’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix will not be held in April due to the conflict in the Middle East, the sport announced on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix scheduled for next month has been postponed until November and, as a result, the dates for the Portuguese Grand Prix and the season finale in Valencia have also changed.
Spain-Argentina ‘very final’ match canceled
The ‘Finalísima’ match between European champions Spain and Copa América winners Argentina, which was scheduled to take place in Qatar at the end of this month, has been cancelled.
Trump says it is inappropriate for Iran to be in the World Cup
US President Donald Trump said on March 12 that Iran’s soccer team was welcome to participate in this year’s World Cup, but that he believed it was not appropriate for them to be there “for their own lives and safety.”
Iran has qualified for the 48-team tournament to be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico starting June 11 and is scheduled to play two group stage matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Athletes’ arrival at the Paralympic Games interrupted
Several athletes were unable to travel to the Milan Cortina Paralympic Winter Games due to travel disruptions at several airports in the Middle East.
Additionally, Iran will not compete at the Milan Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, the International Paralympic Committee announced on March 6.
Tennis in the United Arab Emirates is suspended due to security alert
The ATP Challenger event in Fujairah was canceled on March 3 due to security concerns after a security alert halted play. The ATP Tour said a charter flight had been arranged “at no cost to the players.”
Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, who participated in the Dubai Tennis Championships, were among the players who faced difficulties before traveling to California for the Indian Wells Open.
Sindhu withdraws from All England Open badminton
Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu has withdrawn from the All England Open after being stranded for days at the Dubai airport. He returned to India on March 3.
United States withdraws from hockey World Cup qualifiers
The U.S. men’s hockey team withdrew from a 2026 Hockey World Cup qualifying game in Ismailia, Egypt, following an official State Department advisory urging all U.S. citizens to leave nations in or near conflict zones.
Asian Champions League matches postponed
Round of 16 clashes between Middle Eastern clubs in the Asian Champions League Elite in the first two weeks of March have been postponed.
The quarter-final matches of the Asian Champions League Two and the Asian Challenge League, involving clubs from the region, have also been postponed, the continental football body AFC said on Wednesday.
Iranian footballers receive asylum
Australia granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian footballers on March 10 after they requested asylum, fearing persecution upon their return home for refusing to sing the national anthem at an Asian Cup match.
Australian police helped two more members of the Iranian women’s football delegation apply for asylum on March 11, but one changed her mind and decided to return to Iran.
Concerns about the players’ safety upon their return home increased after Iranian state television branded the team “wartime traitors.”
The Iraqi coach asks that the World Cup playoff match be postponed
Iraqi soccer coach Graham Arnold called for the team’s inter-confederation World Cup playoff in Mexico in March to be postponed amid travel chaos caused by the conflict in neighboring Iran.
The Iraqis are concerned that they will not be able to get their players and staff to Mexico for their scheduled clash against Bolivia or Suriname in Monterrey on March 31.
Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka series postponed
The limited-overs series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka scheduled for March in the United Arab Emirates has been postponed due to the crisis in the Middle East, the Afghanistan Cricket Board announced on March 11.
WEC postpones season opener in Qatar
The World Endurance Championship has postponed its season-opening race, originally scheduled for March 28 at the Lusail circuit in Qatar.
Organizers announced new dates and the race will now take place between October 22 and 24.
Sporting events canceled in Iran, football resumes in Qatar
All sporting events in Iran have been canceled until further notice, including the country’s top-tier Persian Gulf Professional League. The Bahraini Federation also suspended all national competitions.
Qatar’s top-flight football league resumed on March 12 after a nationwide suspension of sporting activity imposed amid regional security concerns, the Qatar Stars League Foundation said.
Mancini cannot return to Qatar
Al Sadd coach Roberto Mancini was not present for Friday’s Qatar Stars League match against Umm Salal because he could not return to Doha.
