Asian Football Confederation postpones matches in West Region Due to Middle East escalations

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced the postponement of the second-leg matches in three of its club competitions in the West Region, extending an earlier decision to delay the first-leg fixtures.

In a statement, the AFC confirmed that the second-leg ties originally scheduled for March 9–11, 2026, would be postponed until further notice. The decision follows the governing body’s March 1 move to defer the first-leg knockout stage matches across AFC club competitions in the West Region due to ongoing strikes between Israel, the US and Iran, Caliber.Az reports.

The affected fixtures include the Round of 16 second-leg matches in the AFC Champions League Elite (West Region), as well as the quarter-final second-leg matches in the AFC Champions League Two and the AFC Challenge League involving West Region teams.

The AFC said that matches involving clubs from the East Region in all AFC competitions would proceed as scheduled.

The confederation stressed that the safety and security of players, teams, officials, partners and supporters remain its top priority, adding that it remains committed to ensuring a secure environment for all stakeholders. Further updates regarding rescheduled dates are expected in due course.

By Sabina Mammadli