From Iran to Israel, via Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Turkey, the Middle East has been gripped by intense tensions since February 28th. This has had concrete consequences for the Olympic Movement and raises many questions for the weeks ahead.
Security, "the absolute priority"
A number of international federations have issued statements in recent days. We continue to work closely with our national federations and the relevant authorities to monitor the evolving global situation and its potential impact on our events and our community. " said the UIPM, recalling that safety and well-being were his top priority The same sentiment was echoed by the International Ice Hockey Federation. The safety of athletes, officials, and all those involved (in the World Cup qualifiers) is our top priority. In this regard, we are in contact with all relevant stakeholders. " says its president, Tayyab Ikram. The FIH took the opportunity to reiterate the importance of major sporting events." to unite the peoples ».
On March 1st, the FIVB stated " shocked and extremely concerned by reports that several young volleyball players in Iran have been killed amid the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the wider region The FIVB has set up a working group specifically dedicated to security. of all the athletes, coaches, staff members and volunteers based in or visiting the region, who are now caught up in the conflict ».
World Climbing has already decided to revise its plans for its General Assembly, scheduled for Riyadh on April 23: the executive committee has decided against convening everyone in the Saudi capital in favor of a virtual meeting. This decision was made after consultation with the Saudi Federation of Climbing and Trekking and after careful consideration of the current situation in West Asia. The safety and well-being of national federations and their representatives remain the organization's top priority. " explains World Climbing.
After consultation with the Saudi Climbing and Hiking Federation and careful consideration of the current situation in West Asia, World Climbing has decided to move its General Assembly 2026 to a virtual format.
— World Climbing (@ifsclimbing) March 4, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/J4AC92mFBI pic.twitter.com/tgmwFipbjy
The schedules have been turned upside down.
The repercussions are already being felt on sporting calendars. FIBA has postponed four qualifying matches for the 2027 World Cup scheduled for the Middle East in recent days. They will now be played in June. The first leg of the World Triathlon Championship Series will not take place in Abu Dhabi (March 28-29). The International Equestrian Federation has also cancelled two events planned in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Participants should be assured that any individual decision not to travel or to withdraw from a competition for safety reasons, in accordance with government recommendations, will not have any repercussions from the FEI. She assured.
On the tennis front, the scheduled World Masters Championships (from March 8 to 21) have been cancelled for security reasons. The conflict " makes organizing this event in Türkiye dangerous at present " explained the ITF. Any decision regarding future events, depending on how the situation develops, will be made based on the same rigorous safety and security assessments. »
Among the events likely to be impacted in the coming weeks are the World Cup gymnastics events in Cairo (April 3-6) and Doha (April 15-18), the equestrian show jumping competitions in Doha (April 1-4) and Sakhir (April 1-4), a sea canoe competition in Dubai (March 20-22), sailing championships in Dubai (March 28-29) and Al Hamriyah, United Arab Emirates (April 11-12), and others. At the end of April, Jounieh (Lebanon) is also scheduled to host the U23 Asian Judo Championships, followed by the Cadet and Junior Asian Cup.
Uncertainty surrounds the football World Cup
Beyond the security concerns surrounding competitions scheduled in the Middle East, these tensions are creating travel difficulties. The only Iranian athlete qualified for the Paralympic Games has had to cancel his trip. Airlines are operating on a shoestring budget, as exemplified by Lufthansa: it has suspended flights to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Dammam (Saudi Arabia), Amman (Jordan), and Erbil (Iraq) until March 15, Beirut until March 28, and Tehran until April 30. The Iraqi Football Federation has asked FIFA to postpone its World Cup qualifying playoff match, scheduled for March 31 in Mexico.
« If the match is held in Mexico, we're going to have difficulties getting out of Baghdad.Iraq coach Graham Arnold told CNN. About 60% of my players are in Iraq, my assistants live in Iraq, all my medical staff live in Qatar, and we also have difficulties obtaining visas for Mexico. Uncertainty also surrounds the Iranian team's presence in North America this summer, as the United States and Iran are at odds with each other. Back in December, the World Cup draw took place in Washington without any Iranian representatives after visa applications were denied.
