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The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced on Sunday the postponement of all major club knockout matches scheduled for this week in the Middle East.
The decision follows a significant escalation in regional tensions after military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which triggered retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.
Headquartered in Malaysia, the AFC stated that the rescheduling is necessary to ensure the “safety and security” of players, officials, and fans as the situation continues to evolve rapidly.
The suspension impacts several high-stakes fixtures in the AFC Champions League Elite and other premier regional tournaments originally slated for March 2–3.
Among the delayed matches are the round-of-16 clash between Qatar’s Al-Duhail and Saudi powerhouse Al-Ahli, as well as Shabab Al-Ahli’s home game in Dubai against Iran’s Tractor.
While the West Region faces these disruptions, the AFC confirmed that matches in other parts of the Asian continent will proceed as originally planned.
In tandem with the AFC’s ruling, the Qatar Football Association (QFA) has moved to suspend all domestic championships and competitions “until further notice.”
This blanket postponement reflects the heightening security concerns in the Gulf state, which served as the host of the last World Cup.
The regional instability has also cast a shadow over the upcoming “Finalissima” between European champions Spain and Copa América winners Argentina, though no official decision has yet been made regarding that March 27 showpiece.
The AFC has pledged to monitor the security landscape closely before announcing new dates for the postponed fixtures. For now, the focus remains on navigating the logistical and safety challenges posed by the conflict.
Football fans in the region must wait for further updates as governing bodies balance the pursuit of sport with the immediate necessity of protecting lives amid the ongoing regional crisis.
