sports
US-Israel war on Iran: how football in the region is struggling to deal with the fallout
From World Cup preparations to Champions League complications, the issues facing football in the region
TL;DR
- Iran's national team is struggling with World Cup preparations due to ongoing conflict, including player exclusions.
- The AFC Champions League Elite games, scheduled for Saudi Arabia, face uncertainty due to incomplete round of 16 matches.
- The Qatar football festival 2026, including the Finalissima 2026 between Spain and Argentina, has been cancelled.
- Uzbekistan players based in Iran are returning home, potentially affecting their World Cup preparation.
- Lebanon's league fixtures are postponed, and their crucial Asian Cup qualifier against Yemen is in doubt.
- Iraq's World Cup playoff faced significant logistical challenges for players trying to leave the region.