With the conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces intensifying, Sky Sports looks at how the Middle East crisis is affecting sport…
Football – will Iran play at World Cup?
Iran’s participation at the 2026 World Cup has been called into question after United States – co-hosts – and Israel launched air strikes at the country over the weekend, as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. The conflict has spread, with Iran launching attacks against US allies and assets in the Middle East.
The Iran football federation president, Mehdi Taj, told local state media that “we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope.” He added that “sports chiefs” would make a final decision on whether they could play or not.
General secretary of FIFA Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday: “I think it’s premature to comment on it in detail, but of course we will monitor the developments around all issues around the world, and I think we had the final draw in Washington where all teams participated, and of course our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating.”
Sky Sports News contacted FIFA on Monday (February 3) and understands FIFA’s stance has not changed in the last 48 hours.
The 2026 World Cup starts on June 11
So if Iran pull out of the World Cup, what options do FIFA have?
World football’s governing body does have the authority to call in a replacement, should Iran not take part. Or they could make a slight change to the tournament make-up.
Article 6 of FIFA’s 2026 World Cup regulations focuses on cases of non-participation. Regulation 6.5 relates to “force majeure”, which is an unforeseen event. “If a Participating Member Association withdraws or a match cannot be played or is abandoned as a result of force majeure, the authorised FIFA organising body (including the Tournament Operation Centre) shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary.”
Regulation 6.7 then states: “If any Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from the FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA shall decide on the matter at its sole discretion and take whatever action is deemed necessary. FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.”
In summary, FIFA has two options if Iran do not, or cannot play: draft in a replacement nation, or alter the rules of the competition so Iran’s group would be a three-team section.
Iran have been drawn in Group G along with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
Who could replace Iran?
Iran qualified automatically for the World Cup, with the United Arab Emirates losing out on an automatic qualification spot and subsequently going out in the play-off rounds. In the event of Iran not playing in the tournament, they would be the closest replacement.
Iraq could only be an option if they do not come through their intercontinental play-off against either Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico later this month. But under the rules, FIFA could decide to select a team from any association, not just the Asian Football Confederation, from where Iran qualified.
Formula 1 – season-opener set to go ahead
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Sky Sports Formula One reporter Craig Slater explains how the current conflict in the Middle East could affect the opening race in Australia and the F1 calendar
Formula 1 is “closely monitoring” the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with races upcoming in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month.
No impact is expected for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this weekend, although some flights for personnel have been rearranged as people planned to changeover in the Middle East on the way to Melbourne.
But, the Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on April 10-12 with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on April 17-19.
“Our next three races are in Australia, China and Japan and not in the Middle East – those races are not for a number of weeks,” said an F1 spokesperson.
“As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “Safety and wellbeing will guide our decisions as we assess the forthcoming events scheduled there [in the Middle East].”
Cricket – Lions tour cancelled
The ECB released a statement on Saturday to announce it was following advice from the government, while confirming the cancellation of Sunday’s 50-over game between the Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi.
But on Monday, they confirmed the remainder of the Lions’ tour, as well as England Women’s proposed trip to Abu Dhabi for a T20 Women’s World Cup camp would not go ahead.
“We are working to get everyone home as soon as possible,” a statement said.
England’s men are currently competing in the T20 World Cup, where the semi-finals are being held in India.
Live ICC Men’s T20 World Cup
Thursday 5th March 1:00pm
The players are set to travel to Mumbai as planned for Thursday’s semi-final, though the ECB insists “the safety and security of our teams and staff is our top priority. We are in contact with security experts and the Government in relation to current events in the Middle East, and are following official advice.”
The West Indies and Zimbabwe teams have delayed their return from India after their exit from the tournament due to international airspace closures.
England’s Jonny Bairstow revealed on social media he remains in Dubai with his family having written to airline Emirates at the weekend regarding a cancelled flight.
“For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team, I am not,” Bairstow wrote on X.
“I am with my young family in Dubai. Sure the England Lions security staff will be doing all they can to get them out of Abu Dhabi, but I am trying to keep my family safe and get us out of here.”
Tennis – players’ plans disrupted
Daniil Medvedev is among the tennis players and team members to have seen travel plans disrupted as he tries to leave Dubai.
The former US Open champion has just won the Dubai Tennis Championships after scheduled opponent Tallon Griekspoor was forced to withdraw ahead of the final due to injury.
Tennis star Daniil Medvedev has had his travel plans disrupted due to the crisis
Medvedev is due to compete at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in California, with main-draw matches due to begin on Wednesday.
His Instagram reposted a report from Russian-language tennis outlet Bolshe on Monday confirming his safety after flights were cancelled.
“The health, safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and tournament personnel is our 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 Monday.
“They and their teams are being accommodated in the tournament’s official hotels, where their immediate needs are being fully supported.
“We are in direct communication with those affected, as well as with tournament organizers and security advisors. At this stage, travel assessments remain subject to ongoing assessment in line with airline operations and official guidance. We will continue to provide appropriate support to ensure players and their teams can depart safely when conditions allow.”
Winter Paralympics – athletes facing travel issues
The International Paralympic Committee said some athletes are facing issues travelling to Milan-Cortina ahead of the Games beginning on Friday.
“We are in close contact with all delegations competing at the Games as well as other stakeholders. Many of the teams are already in Europe attending training or holding camps, but the closure of airspace in the Middle East is impacting the arrival of some stakeholders,” the IPC said in a statement.
“We would prefer not to comment on the status of individual delegations or stakeholders at this stage but can provide assurance that we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected.”
Horse racing – doubts and disruption
In horse racing, the Super Saturday meeting went ahead at Meydan, but Sunday brought further challenges as British racing personnel, including trainers and jockeys, found themselves stranded in Dubai.
Trainer Jamie Osborne was among many awaiting news of when they may be able to return to the UK, with flights suspended from Dubai International Airport.
He said: “It’s annoying as I’d like to be back at home dealing with everything I should be dealing with at home, but we’re stuck here and quite how we get home and when we get home is very much up in the air.”
Super Saturday may have gone ahead as planned, but the Emirates Racing Authority postponed Sunday’s card at Jebel Ali until March 15, with the course next set to stage racing next Sunday. Meydan is also slated to race a day earlier on March 7.
Elsewhere in the region, Bahrain is set to host the two-day King’s Cup fixture on Thursday and Friday.
