Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Sunday Apr 05, 2026
Friday, 6 March 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Multiple sports tournaments across the world, especially in the Gulf countries, have been hit by uncertainty at one of the busiest times of the year in the global sports calendar as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East rages on across the region.
When the US and Israel attacked Iran last Saturday and killed its Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Tehran responded with missile and drone attacks on Israel and several military bases in the Middle East where US forces operate.
Iranian missiles and drones have repeatedly targeted Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Manama, and various parts of Saudi Arabia.
The ensuing conflict threw sports in the region and around the world into chaos, forcing the cancellation of several tournaments and the suspension of leagues, leaving athletes wondering what comes next.
Sports organisations and event organisers have scrambled to keep athletes, officials, and fans safe from the attacks and their repercussions.
A tennis tournament in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was at the centre of the storm on Tuesday, when the ATP Challenger-level event in Fujairah was brought to a halt as falling debris from a drone interception ignited a fire at an oilfield approximately 13 km (8 miles) away.
Two players – Belarusian Daniil Ostapenkov and Japan’s Hayato Matsuoka, who were on court in the middle of their match – were seen scrambling for shelter in videos posted on social media.
The tournament was subsequently cancelled, and an initial email sent to players from the Professional Tennis Players Association appeared to float the idea of a one-way charter flight home at the cost of $ 5,800 each.
The region’s most popular sport, football, has also faced disruption.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Wednesday that next week’s Asian Champions League matches scheduled in the Middle East had been postponed until further notice.
Earlier this week, the Qatar Football Association also suspended all matches in the country.
Qatar was also scheduled to host the Finalissima football match between Argentina and Spain this month, but European football body UEFA has said a decision on whether – and where – it will be played will not be taken until the end of next week.
The showpiece game between the Copa America holders and European champions had been scheduled for 27 March at Lusail Stadium in Doha, where Lionel Messi’s team lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in 2022.
