Some of the
biggest sports events for 2026 are facing serious uncertainty following the
escalating conflict between the US and Iran. Missiles and drones have hit
Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Jordan and
Lebanon, closing airspace across the region and killing Iran's Supreme Leader.
Fixtures have been cancelled, athletes are stranded, and governing bodies
across multiple sports are now scrambling to reroute logistics.
Here is a
look at the major events on the sports calendar that have been impacted by
the conflict.
F1
The biggest
disruption the Iran conflict has caused is in Formula 1. Pirelli's two-day wet
tyre development test at Bahrain International Circuit was cancelled after
missile strikes hit the US Navy's Fifth Fleet base in Manama, roughly 20 miles
from the circuit.
Getting to Melbourne for this weekend's season opener has also been a logistical challenge. Close to 1,000 F1 staff members had to reroute flights away from Doha and Dubai. The real pressure sits further ahead, as the Bahrain Grand Prix is on 12 April, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix a week later on the 19th. While these races are not for a number of weeks, both countries have already been struck by Iranian missiles, so the situation is being closely monitored by the FIA before a formal decision is reached to protect the safety of drivers and staff.
Football
Iran
qualified automatically for the 2026 World Cup and were drawn into Group G
alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, with all three group games on US
soil. With Iran now in direct conflict with the United States, their
participation in the tournament has been thrown into serious doubt. Iranian
nationals already face US travel restrictions under the Trump administration
policy, so their participation could collapse due to a political boycott, a
safety withdrawal, or expulsion by FIFA.
FIFA's
Article 6.7 allows for a replacement nation, so another AFC nation would be
able to take Iran’s place. If Iraq win their intercontinental play-off, the
UAE, who narrowly missed automatic qualification before losing in the play-off
rounds, would take Iran's spot in Group G. If Iraq lose, they would step in
instead.
There is
also damage to club football. Four round-of-16 first-leg fixtures in the AFC
Champions League Elite West Region were postponed, including Ronaldo's Al
Nassr. The Qatar Football Association suspended all domestic football until
further notice, putting the 27 March Finalissima between Spain and Argentina at
serious risk. Iran's own Persian Gulf Pro League was suspended entirely.
Tennis
Daniil
Medvedev won the Dubai ATP 500 title last week but found himself stranded in
the city when UAE airspace closed. Medvedev and Andre Rublev were trying to
reach Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open, but being stuck in the region,
they may miss the tournament altogether.
Cricket
The England
Men’s Lions tour is now on hold following the cancellation of the fixture
against Pakistan that was due to be held in Abu Dhabi. The ECB has also pulled
the plug on a planned England Women's training camp in the UAE, which was set
to serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup. The West Indies squad remain in
India due to airspace closures, and are awaiting clearance to fly home
following the T20 World Cup.
Horse
racing
Meydan's
Super Saturday card went ahead, but Sunday's Jebel Ali fixture was postponed
until 15 March as Dubai International Airport closed. Dozens of trainers and
jockeys, including Ryan Moore, Oisin Murphy, and Jamie Osborne, were left with
no way home. With Cheltenham opening on 10 March, several British and Irish
yards are facing disruption before a single horse has made it back to the yard.
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