The conflict between the United States and Israel 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, Reuters reports today.
Formula 1 races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be canceled
The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix races, scheduled for next month, are set to be canceled due to the conflict in the Middle East.
Multiple sources told Reuters that an announcement is expected, which in the sport is considered only a matter of time, as the March 20 deadline approaches for the transport of cargo that must be delivered to Bahrain for logistical reasons.
Trump says it's inappropriate for Iran to play in World Cup
US President Donald Trump said on March 12 that Iran's national football team was welcome to participate in this year's World Cup, but that he felt it was inappropriate for them to be there "for their own lives and safety."
Iran has qualified for the 48-team tournament, which will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico starting June 11, and is scheduled to play two group stage matches in Los Angeles and one in Seattle.
Athlete arrivals to the Paralympic Games disrupted
Several athletes were unable to travel to the Milan-Cortina Winter Paralympic Games due to traffic disruptions at several airports in the Middle East.
Additionally, Iran is not participating in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games, the International Paralympic Committee announced on March 6.
Tennis in UAE suspended due to security alert
The ATP Challenger tournament in Fujairah was cancelled on March 3 due to security concerns after a security alert halted matches. The ATP Tour said a charter flight had been arranged "at no cost to the players".
Russian tennis players Daniil Medvedev and Andrei Rublev, who were participating in the Dubai Tennis Championships, were among the players who faced difficulties before traveling to the US state of California for the Indian Wells Open tournament.
Sindhu withdraws from All England Open badminton tournament
Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu withdrew from the All England Open badminton tournament after being stranded at Dubai airport for days. She returned to India on March 3.
USA withdraws from World Hockey Championship qualifiers
The U.S. men's national hockey team has withdrawn from the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament in Ismailia, Egypt, following an official warning from the State Department recommending that all U.S. citizens leave countries in or near conflict zones.
Postponed Asian Champions League matches
The round of 16 matches of the Asian Champions League Elite, featuring clubs from the Middle East, which were scheduled for the first two weeks of March, have been postponed.
The quarter-final matches of the Asian Champions League 2 and the Asian Challenge League, which feature clubs from the region, have also been postponed, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Wednesday.
Iranian female footballers granted asylum
Australia on March 10 granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian female soccer players after they sought asylum, fearing persecution upon returning home for refusing to sing the national anthem at an Asian Cup match.
Australian police helped two more members of the Iranian women's national football team 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 have grown after Iranian state television called the team "war traitors."
Iraq coach calls for World Cup play-offs to be postponed
Iraq national football team coach Graham Arnold has called for his team's intercontinental play-off for the World Cup in March to be postponed, amid travel chaos caused by the conflict in neighboring Iran.
The Iraqis are concerned that they may not be able to fly players and coaching staff to Mexico for a scheduled match in Monterrey on March 31 against Bolivia or Suriname.
Afghanistan - Sri Lanka series postponed
A 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 (WEC) has postponed its season-opening race, originally scheduled for March 28 at the Lusail Circuit in Qatar.
The organizers have announced new dates, so the race will now be held from October 22nd to 24th.
Sporting events cancelled in Iran, football resumes in Qatar
All sporting events in Iran have been canceled until further notice, including the highest football league, the Persian Gulf Professional League. The Bahrain Football Association has also suspended all domestic competitions.
Qatar's top-flight football championship resumed on March 12 after a general suspension of sporting activities imposed due to regional security concerns, the Qatar Stars League Foundation announced.
Information is still awaited about the match between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for March 27th in Doha.
Mancini cannot return to Qatar
Al Sadd coach Roberto Mancini was not present for the Qatar Stars League match against Umm Salal on Friday, as he was unable to return to Doha.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
