With the conflict between Iran and US-Israeli forces intensifying, Sky Sports looks at how the Middle East crisis is affecting sport…
Soccer – will Iran play at the World Cup?
Iran’s participation in the 2026 World Cup has been thrown into doubt after the US – co-hosts – and Israel launched airstrikes against the country at the weekend when 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.
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 “sporting managers” would make a final decision on whether they could play or not.
FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom said on Saturday: “I think it is too early to comment on it in detail, but of course we will monitor 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 where everyone participates.”
Sky Sports news contacted FIFA on Monday (February 3) and understands that FIFA’s position has not changed in the last 48 hours.
So if Iran pulls out of the World Cup, what options does FIFA have?
World football’s governing body has the authority to call in a replacement if Iran does not participate. Or they could make a slight change in the tournament composition.
Article 6 of FIFA’s 2026 World Cup rules focuses on cases of non-participation. Rule 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 interrupted due to force majeure, the authorized FIFA organizing body (including the Tournament Operation Centre) shall consider the matter at its discretion and take any action deemed necessary.”
Rule 6.7 then states: “If a Participating Member Association withdraws and/or is excluded from FIFA World Cup 26, FIFA shall, at its sole discretion, consider the matter and take such measures as are deemed necessary. FIFA may decide to replace the Participating Member Association in question with another association.”
In summary, FIFA has two options if Iran cannot or cannot play: draft in a replacement nation or change the rules of the competition so that Iran’s group becomes a three-team section.
Iran have been drawn in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt.
Who could replace Iran?
Iran automatically qualified 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 can only be an option if they fail to get through their intercontinental play-off against either Bolivia or Suriname in Mexico later this month. However, according to the rules, FIFA could decide to select a team from any confederation, not just the Asian Football Confederation, from which Iran qualified.
Formula 1 – the season opener is ready to go ahead
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Sky Sports Formula 1 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 on the way Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month.
No effect is expected for the season opener Australian Grand Prix this weekend, although some flights for staff have been rearranged as people planned to change in the Middle East en route to Melbourne.
But the Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on the 10th-12th. April with the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia on 17-19 April.
“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,” an F1 spokesman said.
“As always, we closely monitor any situation like this and work closely with relevant authorities.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added: “Safety and well-being will guide our decisions as we assess the upcoming events planned there [in the Middle East].”
Cricket – Lions tour cancelled
The ECB issued a statement on Saturday to announce it was following government advice, while also confirming the cancellation of Sunday’s 50-over match between the Men’s Lions and Pakistan Shaheens in Abu Dhabi.
But on Monday they confirmed that the rest 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,” it said in a statement.
England’s men are currently competing in the T20 World Cup, with the semi-finals being held in India.
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The players are set to travel to Mumbai as planned for Thursday’s semi-final, although the ECB insists that “the safety and security of our team 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 following their exit from the tournament due to international airspace closures.
England’s Jonny Bairstow revealed on social media that he remains in Dubai with his family after writing to Emirates airline over the weekend regarding a canceled flight.
“For those writing that I’m with the England Lions team, I’m not,” Bairstow wrote on X.
“I’m with my young family in Dubai. The England Lions security staff will do 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 – the players’ plans disrupted
Daniel Medvedev is among the tennis players and team members who 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 will compete at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, with main draw matches set to begin on Wednesday.
His Instagram reproduced a report from Russian-language tennis company Bolshe on Monday confirming his safety after flights were cancelled.
“The health, safety and well-being of our players, staff and tournament staff is our priority. We can confirm that a small number of players and team members will 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 will be accommodated in the tournament’s official hotels, where their immediate needs will be fully supported.
“We are in direct communication with those affected as well as 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 permit.”
Paralympic Winter Games – athletes facing travel issues
The International Paralympic Committee said some athletes face problems traveling to Milan-Cortina ahead of the Games, which begin 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 to participate in training or hold camps, but the closure of the airspace in the Middle East is affecting the arrival of some stakeholders,” the IPC said in a statement.
“We prefer not to comment on the status of individual delegations or stakeholders at this time, but can assure you that we are working diligently with Milano Cortina 2026 to find solutions for those affected.”
Horse racing – doubt and disturbance
In horse racing, the Super Saturday meeting got underway in Meydan, but Sunday brought further challenges as British racing staff, including trainers and jockeys, found themselves stranded in Dubai.
Coach Jamie Osborne were among many awaiting news of when they might be able to return to the UK, with flights suspended from Dubai International Airport.
He said: “It’s annoying as I want to be back home and deal with everything I should be dealing with at home but we’re stuck here and how we get home and when we get home is very much up in the air.”
Super Saturday may have gone as planned, but the Emirates Racing Authority postponed Sunday’s card at Jebel Ali until March 15, when the course is next set for a stage race next Sunday. Meydan is also scheduled to run a day earlier on March 7.
Elsewhere in the region, Bahrain will host the two-day King’s Cup game Thursday and Friday.