Nasser al-Khelaifi’s absence from Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League match against Chelsea last week, grounded in Doha due to closed airspace, symbolically highlighted the vulnerability of the Gulf’s sports ambitions amid Middle East conflict. As president of PSG, chair of Qatar Sports Investments, and head of the influential European Club Association, Al-Khelaifi is considered the second most powerful figure in world football after FIFA’s Gianni Infantino. Yet the 52-year-old missed his first PSG match in years.
After watching PSG’s 5-2 first-leg victory on BeIN Media Group—the global network he also chairs—Al-Khelaifi reached London to see his team defeat Chelsea 3-0 in the second leg. However, the partial reopening of Qatari airspace hasn’t undone the wider disruption to sports and Gulf economies caused by the regional conflict.
Like during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, a trickle of event cancellations has recently turned into a flood. Formula 1 has called off next month’s Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. A high-profile football match between Argentina and Spain in Doha has been canceled, along with MotoGP’s Qatar Grand Prix, now rescheduled for November.
Smaller events are also at risk, with next month’s Artistic Gymnastics World Cup and May’s GCC Games still unconfirmed. Looking ahead, Qatar is set to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup next year. According to Doha-based Northbourne Advisory, over 100 events across all sectors have been canceled in the Gulf since the war began.
Simon Chadwick, professor of Eurasian sport at Emlyon Business School, notes: “The conflict has exposed the weakness of the Gulf states’ plans to diversify through sport, especially an event-based model. A key reason for investing in sport was to build interdependence and security. Qatar, in particular, relied on other countries investing in its sporting infrastructure, which is now vulnerable.”
Qatar pioneered the Gulf’s push to become a global sports hub over the past decade, spending around $220 billion on the 2022 World Cup to transform Doha into a sporting megacity. Its neighbors followed suit. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain are all pursuing Vision 2030 projects to shift their economies away from oil toward sports, leisure, and tourism.
Saudi Arabia’s plans are the most ambitious. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated three years ago that the country aims for sports to contribute 3% of GDP by 2030—a significant goal, considering the sport industry’s share is just over 2% in the EU and about 2.5% in the UK.
With Saudi Arabia set to host the 2034 World Cup unopposed and global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema joining the Saudi Pro League, the project’s initial phase has progressed smoothly. However, much like the construction firms and architects…Tasked with building 11 new stadiums for the World Cup, Saudi Arabia is almost entirely dependent on imported labor.
“They have not diversified enough and failed to develop a sustainable sports ecosystem,” says Chadwick. “They are hosting events, buying players, and hiring foreign consultants, but are not manufacturing equipment and apparel like Vietnam and Thailand, or investing in e-sports like China and South Korea.”
“If this had happened 10 years later, perhaps they would have been able to cope better. The war has come at the wrong time.”
Saudi Arabia’s response to the war reflects a country where obtaining clear information and straightforward answers can be extremely difficult.
A sports promoter who has arranged deals to bring numerous athletes and companies to the kingdom over several years described recent conversations with the Saudi Ministry of Sport as “surreal,” with officials seemingly “in denial” about the scale of the crisis.
Shortly after the first missile strikes three weeks ago, the Saudi Pro League (SPL) informed all clubs that matches would continue, and most have done so. However, AFC Champions League Elite fixtures involving Saudi clubs have been postponed and are yet to be rescheduled.
The upcoming international football break has provided some respite, allowing European players like Cristiano Ronaldo to return home to represent their countries. They are all expected back at the start of next month for the climax of the SPL season.
No SPL players have indicated they want to leave, although an agent for one player at a Saudi club said some families may not return from Europe.
Drone attacks on the King Fahd Causeway, which links Saudi Arabia with Bahrain—home to many expatriates—have caused considerable unease and could ultimately lead to an exodus of players at the end of the season in May.
Beyond immediate cancellations and a medium-term loss of confidence likely to deter investors and athletes, the biggest long-term concern is that difficulties exporting oil and gas will inevitably lead to significant spending cuts.
The Guardian reported in December that the Public Investment Fund (PIF) had already begun cutting budgets for World Cup stadium construction, causing delays. Meanwhile, the new Qiddiya Speed Park track near Riyadh, set to host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from next year, remains unfinished.
A consultant working for the Saudi Ministry of Sport indicated that PIF’s spending on tennis, golf, and darts is seen as most vulnerable, while football, Formula One, and boxing are likely to be protected. However, anyone involved in bringing sports to the Gulf is unlikely to rest easy for some time.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs The Iran Conflict the Gulfs Status as a Sports Hub
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What does the headline Its come at the wrong time mean
It means the escalating tensions and conflict involving Iran are happening at a particularly bad moment for the Gulf region just as they have been investing heavily to become a global center for major sports events
2 How is the Gulf trying to become a sports hub
Countries like Saudi Arabia Qatar and the UAE have been hosting huge events like Formula 1 races football tournaments and major boxing matches Theyre also investing in sports teams and building stateoftheart stadiums to attract fans and tourism yearround
3 Why would a conflict in Iran affect sports in other Gulf countries
Even though the conflict may be centered on Iran it creates regional instability This can scare off tourists make sponsors nervous and lead to increased security costs and travel disruptions which are all bad for hosting big peaceful international events
4 Can you give a specific example of an event that might be affected
Yes Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup Persistent regional conflict could raise serious concerns about safety logistics and the overall image needed to successfully host such a massive monthlong tournament
Advanced Practical Questions
5 Beyond safety what are the less obvious economic impacts on Gulf sports
The conflict can destabilize global oil prices and regional economies potentially reducing government budgets for sports investments It can also cause currency fluctuations and make international investors and commercial partners more hesitant to commit longterm funds
6 How does this conflict affect the soft power goals of Gulf nations
Sports are a key part of the Gulfs soft power strategyusing attraction and culture to improve their global image and influence Conflict undermines this by shifting the narrative back to regional tensions and security issues rather than openness modernity and entertainment
7 Are there any events that have already been impacted
While major events havent been canceled outright we often see increased security alerts higher insurance premiums for events and some athletes or fans expressing hesitation about traveling to the region during spikes in tension It creates an underlying atmosphere of
