AFC Champions League Postponed + Multiple National Leagues Forced to Halt, Middle Eastern Football Hits the Pause Button

Author/Han Bing On February 28th, the United States and Israel launched a military strike against Iran. The security situation in Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries has deteriorated comprehensively, and football has been fully affected, hitting the pause button.

Leagues in Iran, Israel, Kuwait, Lebanon, Bahrain, and Qatar have all been forced to halt. The AFC Champions League and some international matches have also been impacted, raising doubts even about Iran's participation in the World Cup.

On March 1st, the Iranian league was the first to completely suspend operations. Foreign players in the Iranian league sought to leave through their respective countries' embassies in Iran. Former Barcelona forward Munir, former Real Madrid goalkeeper Adán, and South Korean foreign player Lee Jae-ik have already departed. Other foreign players had to first travel by land to neighboring countries before seeking other ways out. Meanwhile, Iran's scheduled friendly match against Nigeria in Jordan on March 27th, and the participation of Iran's U23 national team in the 2026 CFA China Team Xi'an International Youth Football Championship (March 25-31), now appear highly unlikely to proceed.

After Qatar Airways and Emirates completely suspended operations, on March 1st, the AFC announced the indefinite postponement of four AFC Champions League Elite West Asia Round of 16 first-leg matches scheduled for March 2-3, and two AFC Champions League 2 West Asia Quarter-final first-leg matches scheduled for March 3-4. This is because the participating teams in these six matches include one Iranian team (Tractor Sazi), three Qatari teams (Al-Sadd, Al-Duhail, Al-Rayyan), and UAE teams (Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, Al-Wahda, Al-Nasr). Due to the deteriorating security situation, the teams cannot compete normally.

AFC: Due to the Middle East Situation, AFC Champions League West Asia Matches Postponed

On March 3rd, the AFC announced the indefinite postponement of the second-leg matches for the West Asia knockout stages of the two AFC Champions League competitions scheduled for March 10-12. The Saudi Football Federation proposed a new plan to the AFC for the West Asia knockout stages, suggesting changing the matches to single-leg deciders. The AFC Champions League Elite final stage for the quarter-finals is scheduled in Jeddah from April 17-25. The West Asia knockout matches for the two AFC Champions League competitions could be held in Jeddah one week prior. The AFC will hold an emergency meeting soon to discuss the format and schedule for the first knockout rounds of the West Asia AFC Champions League competitions. The participation of Iranian club Tractor Sazi, which cannot travel abroad, in the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 is also under discussion.

On March 2nd, the Qatar Football Association announced the suspension of all domestic sports events. International matches scheduled in Qatar during the late March international window are confirmed to be canceled. This includes the 2026 Euro-America Cup (Argentina vs. Spain) in Doha on March 27th, the friendly between Qatar and Argentina on March 31st, and friendlies between Saudi Arabia and Egypt (March 26th) and Serbia (March 30th). UEFA and CONMEBOL are discussing new venues for the Euro-America Cup, with London and Miami being the top choices. The Saudi Football Federation activated a contingency plan: the friendly with Egypt will be moved to Cairo, and the friendly with Serbia will be held in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the UAE's scheduled friendlies at home against Armenia and the Faroe Islands in March are now almost certain to be canceled.

Although the US embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, was also hit by Iranian missiles, the Saudi league has not halted. On March 2nd, the Saudi Football Federation met with the four clubs involved in the AFC Champions League knockout stages (Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Nassr) to advance their league schedules, utilizing the AFC matchdays of March 10-12 to ease the future fixture burden. This weekend's Saudi Pro League Round 25 matches and the two Saudi King's Cup semi-finals on March 18th will proceed as usual.

Previously, the British *Daily Mail* reported that Cristiano Ronaldo's private jet arrived in Madrid from Riyadh in the early hours of March 3rd. However, Saudi media confirmed that Ronaldo is currently still in Riyadh receiving treatment from club doctors. Unless the treatment proves ineffective, Saudi authorities would consider seeking familiar specialists in Madrid to address the issue.

Whether Iran can participate in the World Cup is a focal point for the global football community. The President of the Iranian Football Federation, Taj, emphasized that Iran will participate in the World Cup, as it is the team's deserved right. However, the entry ban list published by the US government last year included Iran. During the World Cup draw ceremony held in the US last December, the Iranian delegation was unable to attend due to visa denials.

Furthermore, all three of Iran's group stage matches are scheduled to be held in the United States. On March 3rd, Trump responded to the question of Iran's potential participation with "I don't care." Given the hostile state between the two countries, it is almost impossible for the US to allow Iran's entry for the tournament.

Unable to travel, the Iranian Football Federation missed this week's seminar for World Cup participating teams. FIFA has held an emergency meeting to discuss options if Iran insists on participating but is denied entry by the US, such as arranging Iran's matches in Canada or Mexico, or adjusting the venues for matches involving Iran's group opponents. However, there is no precedent for this in World Cup history.

If Iran's qualification must be revoked, FIFA needs to find a reason acceptable to the global football community. Clearly, "force majeure" is the only plausible justification. Moreover, if Iran cannot participate, the principle for selecting a replacement team is also an issue. Currently, there are two possibilities: Iraq, which represented Asia in the intercontinental playoffs, or the UAE, which finished third in Iran's World Cup qualification group, could potentially replace them.

It is worth noting that Iraq's head coach, Arnold, and some of his assistants are stranded in the UAE. Whether they can reach Mexico in time to lead the team for the intercontinental playoffs at the end of March is also a question. However, the UAE has begun restoring some flights. With over 20 days remaining until the playoffs, Arnold should be able to depart.

The impact of the war on Middle Eastern and even global football has fully commenced, but whether it will expand and when it will end remain unknown.