UEFA says Argentina-Spain match in Qatar still on despite war

Sports Events Across Middle East Canceled Amid Escalating Conflict

The escalating war between the United States and Israel against Iran has brought the sporting world across the Middle East to a near standstill, with football, motorsport, tennis, cricket, and badminton all disrupted by missile strikes, airspace closures, and mass travel chaos.

Football and Motorsport Hit Hardest

The Asian Football Confederation has indefinitely postponed all West Asia matches, including the AFC Champions League Elite round of 16 and lower-tier competitions. On Wednesday, the AFC extended the suspension to cover next week’s fixtures as well, stating that “the safety of all players, teams and officials is the top priority.” Iran has suspended all domestic sporting events, while the Qatar Football Association halted all competitions until further notice.reuters

The fate of the Finalissima — a March 27 clash between Argentina and Spain at Lusail Stadium in Doha — remains uncertain. Although Qatar suspended all matches, UEFA said Thursday that “at present, there are no alternative venues being considered,” adding that discussions with local organizers are ongoing. If Doha proves too risky, the match could be moved to Spain or elsewhere in Europe.espn

The FIA postponed the Qatar leg of the 2026 World Endurance Championship, which had been scheduled for March 28 at the Lusail International Circuit. Meanwhile, Formula 1 faces growing questions over its Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races in April. The BBC reported that the U.S. naval facility in Manama, near where F1 personnel typically stay, has already been struck by Iranian missiles. For the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this weekend, close to 1,000 paddock members had to rearrange flights after Gulf transit hubs shut down, though race organizers confirmed the Melbourne event will proceed as planned.tmz

Athletes Stranded Worldwide

A tennis tournament in Fujairah, UAE, was suspended mid-match after explosions and air-raid sirens were heard nearby, with players Daniil Ostapenkov and Hayato Matsuoka evacuated from the court. The event was subsequently canceled entirely, with players told a charter flight from Muscat to Milan would cost roughly 5,000 euros per person. Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships winner Daniil Medvedev and fellow Russian Andrey Rublev were among those stranded in Dubai, forcing both to withdraw from Indian Wells.indiatoday

In cricket, England Lions coach Jonny Bairstow publicly appealed for help after his squad, including Andrew Flintoff, became stuck in the UAE following the cancellation of their match against Pakistan Shaheens. The West Indies and Zimbabwe cricket teams were stranded in India after their T20 World Cup exits, unable to fly home through closed Gulf airspace. Indian badminton star PV Sindhu missed the All England Open after being stranded at Dubai airport, unable to reach Birmingham.firstpost

A Region on Pause

The disruptions extend well beyond elite sport. The Indian men’s basketball team was stuck in Doha, where they had traveled for World Cup qualifiers. The International Paralympic Committee acknowledged travel difficulties affecting the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympics. As the conflict enters its second week with no ceasefire in sight, the sporting calendar across the Gulf remains frozen — and events scheduled for the coming weeks face an increasingly uncertain future.indiatimes