How sporting events are being impacted by Middle East conflict

The Asian Football Confederation has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia by almost a year amid regional security concerns, including fears of missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement. The wider conflict has also put several major sporting events at risk, leaving organisers to weigh safety, travel and scheduling as they plan competitions across the Middle East.

The 24-team Asian Cup will now run from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028, rather than 7 January to 5 February next year. Formula 1’s Qatar and Abu Dhabi races, scheduled for late November and early December, are still planned but could be cancelled; an Imola race has been discussed as a possible replacement. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia’s April F1 races were already cancelled, while some Saudi Pro League and Asian Champions League fixtures have been postponed or rearranged.