As the conflict between Iran and the US and Israeli forces intensifies, Sky Sports looks at how the Middle East crisis is affecting sport.
Soccer – Will Iran play in the World Cup?
Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup has been called into question after co-hosts the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran over the weekend following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The conflict is escalating, with Iran launching attacks against U.S. allies and assets in the Middle East.
“We cannot expect to go into the World Cup with high hopes,” Iranian Football Federation president Mehdi Taj told local state media. He added that the “sporting director” would make the final decision on whether they could play.
FIFA Secretary-General Matthias Grafström said on Saturday: “I think it’s too early to comment in detail, but of course we’ll be keeping a close eye on all the developments around the world. I think we had a final in Washington with all the teams involved. Of course our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everyone involved.”
Sky Sports News contacted FIFA on Monday (3 February) and understands that FIFA’s stance has not changed in the past 48 hours.
So what options does FIFA have if Iran withdraws from the World Cup?
World football’s governing body has the power to convene a replacement if Iran does not participate. Alternatively, there may be some changes to the tournament structure.
Article 6 of FIFA’s 2026 World Cup Regulations focuses on non-participation cases. Rule 6.5 relates to “force majeure”, which are unforeseen events. “In the event of the withdrawal of a participating Member Association or the inability or cancellation of a match as a result of force majeure, the authorized FIFA organizing body (including the Tournament Operations Center) shall decide the matter in its sole discretion and take any measures it deems necessary.”
Rule 6.7 then states: “If a Participating Member Association withdraws or is excluded from the 26th FIFA World Cup, FIFA shall decide the matter in its sole discretion and take any action it deems necessary. FIFA may decide to replace such Participating Member Association with another Association.”
In summary, if Iran does not or cannot play, FIFA has two options. They could either draft in an alternate country or change the competition rules so that Iran’s group is a three-team section.
Iran was placed in Group G along with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
Who will replace Iran?
Iran automatically qualified for the World Cup, but the United Arab Emirates lost their automatic qualification and were eliminated in the playoff round. If Iran does not participate in the tournament, they would be the closest replacements.
Iraq will only be an option if they fail to advance through the intercontinental play-offs against Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico later this month. However, under the rules, FIFA can decide to select teams from any association, not just the Asian Football Confederation, from which Iran has qualified.
F1 – Opening race scheduled
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Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater explains how the current Middle East conflict could impact the opening race in Australia and the F1 calendar
F1 is “closely monitoring” the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with races scheduled in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month.
This weekend’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix is not expected to be affected, although some flights have been re-arranged due to personnel due to make connections in the Middle East en route to Melbourne.
However, the Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to be held from April 10th to 12th, and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is scheduled to be held from April 17th to 19th.
“The next three races will not be in the Middle East, but in Australia, China and Japan. These races will not last many weeks,” an F1 spokesperson said.
“As always, we are closely monitoring these situations and working closely with the relevant authorities.”
FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulayem added: “Safety and health will guide our decisions as we evaluate future events scheduled (in the Middle East).”
Cricket – Lions tour canceled
The ECB issued a statement on Saturday confirming the cancellation of Sunday’s 50-over match between the Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi and saying it was following recommendations from the government.
But on Monday they confirmed that the remainder of the Lions’ trip and England Women’s proposed visit to Abu Dhabi for their T20 Women’s World Cup camp will not go ahead.
“We are working to get everyone home as soon as possible,” the statement said.
England’s men’s team is currently participating in the T20 World Cup, with the semi-finals being held in India.
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The players will travel to Mumbai as planned for Thursday’s semi-final, but the ECB insists: “The safety and security of our team and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and governments regarding current events in the Middle East and are following official advice.”
Teams from West Indies and Zimbabwe delayed their return from India after being pulled out of the tournament due to international airspace closures.
England player Jonny Bairstow said on social media that he had written to Emirates over the weekend about his flight cancellation and said he was staying in Dubai with his family.
“For those who write that I’m in the England Lions team, I’m not,” Bairstow wrote in X.
“I’m in Dubai with my young family. I’m sure the England Lions security staff will be doing everything they can to get them out of Abu Dhabi, but I’m trying to keep my family safe and get us out of here.”
Tennis – Player’s plans are interrupted
Daniil Medvedev is one of the tennis players and team members who saw their travel plans disrupted as they tried to leave Dubai.
The former US Open champion just won the Dubai Tennis Championships after scheduled opponent Taron Griekspur was forced to withdraw before the final due to injury.
Tennis star Daniil Medvedev’s travel plans disrupted by crisis
Medvedev is scheduled to compete in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, with main draw matches scheduled to begin on Wednesday.
His Instagram reposted a report from Russian-language tennis outlet Borsche, which confirmed his safety after his flight was canceled on Monday.
“The health, safety and well-being of our players, staff and tournament officials is our top priority. We can confirm that a small number of players and team members remain in Dubai following the conclusion of the recent ATP 500 event,” the ATP Tour said in a statement on Monday.
“They and their teams are staying at the tournament’s official hotel and their immediate needs are fully supported.
“We are in direct contact with those affected, as well as tournament organizers and security advisors. At this stage, travel assessments are subject to ongoing assessment in accordance with airline operations and official guidance. We will continue to provide appropriate support to ensure the safe departure of players and their teams when the situation allows.”
Winter Paralympics – Athletes face mobility issues
The International Paralympic Committee said some athletes were facing problems traveling to Milan-Cortina ahead of the competition, which starts on Friday.
“We are in close contact with all delegations and other parties participating in the competition. Many of the teams are already training and camping in Europe, but the closure of Middle East airspace has affected the arrival of some of them,” the IPC said in a statement.
“While I would like to refrain from commenting on the situation of individual delegations or stakeholders at this stage, I can assure you that we are working diligently on Milan Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected.”
Horse racing – doubt and confusion
For horse racing, Super Saturday was held at Meydan, but Sunday brought further challenges as British horse racing personnel, including trainers and jockeys, were stranded in Dubai.
With flights from Dubai International Airport suspended, trainer Jamie Osborne was among those waiting to hear when they could return to the UK.
He said: “It’s a nuisance because we want to go back and take care of everything that needs to be done at home. But we’re stuck here and how we’re going to get home and when we’re going to get home is very much up in the air.”
Super Saturday may go ahead as scheduled, but the Emirates Horse Racing Authority has postponed Sunday’s card at Jebel Ali until March 15, with racing scheduled to take place at the course next Sunday. Meydan is also scheduled to race one day earlier on March 7th.
Elsewhere in the region, Bahrain is scheduled to host a two-day King’s Cup match on Thursday and Friday.
