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International Football Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images Four Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League fixtures have been postponed following the U. S. and Israeli military attack on Iran. The AFC also confirmed fixtures in the federation’s Champions League Two and Challenge League, including the tie involving Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, had been postponed until further notice. Advertisement The federation announced on Sunday the AFC Champions League first-leg last-16 ties due to take place in the West Region of the continent between Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3 will be rescheduled. Monday’s matches between Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates and Iranian side Tractor FC in Dubai, and Al Duhail of Qatar and Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in Doha, have both been postponed. Tuesday’s games between Al Wahda of the UAE and Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in Abu Dhabi, and Qatari club Al Sadd and Saudi side Al Hilal in Doha are both also off. The AFC Champions League matches in Australia, South Korea and Malaysia will go ahead as planned. The AFC added that fixtures in the federation’s Champions League Two and Challenge League due to take place in the West Region are postponed until further notice. The quarter-final tie between Al Wasl of the UAE and Saudi’s Al Nassr, set to take place in Dubai, has been impacted, alongside the match between Qatari side Al Ahli and Al Hussein of Jordan, which was due to be played in Doha. A number of high-profile international players moved to the Saudi Pro League after the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) took control of four teams in the division in the summer of 2023. Former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, ex-Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, France international N’Golo Kante, former Liverpool midfielder Fabinho and seven-time England international Ivan Toney are among those who had been due to be involved in the postponed fixtures. “The AFC will continue to closely monitor this rapidly evolving situation and remains resolute in ensuring the safety and security of all players, teams, officials, and fans, ” an AFC statement read. The Qatar Football Association also confirmed on Sunday that all matches in the country had been postponed “until further notice”. Advertisement The U. S. and Israel launched airstrikes on major Iranian cities, including the capital Tehran, on Saturday after weeks of mounting diplomatic tension. Iran has retaliated with its own missile attacks on Israel and U. S. air bases in the Gulf region, including in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. The Iranian government said on Sunday that U. S. -Israeli attacks had killed the nation’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran’s women’s national team begin their AFC Women’s Asian Cup group stage campaign against South Korea in Australia on Monday. Australian news agency AAP reported during Sunday’s pre-match press conference a question regarding the killing of Khamenei to coach Marziyeh Jafari and captain Zahra Ghanbari was shut down by an AFC media representative. Iran has qualified for this summer’s men’s World Cup in the U. S. , Mexico and Canada and are due to play group stage matches in Los Angeles and Seattle. FIFA said on Saturday it is focusing on “everybody participating” in the World Cup in the wake of the military attack. Various media outlets, including Spanish publication Marca, reported the president of the Iranian Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, told Iranian television: “With what happened today and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that. ” The Athletic has been unable to independently verify the quotes, and has contacted the Iranian Football Federation for comment. A wide corridor of airspace over the Middle East has been closed following the strikes, with Israel, Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan shutting down air traffic. UK nationals in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, Turkey and Oman have been instructed to “remain vigilant” and take shelter if advised to do so. The UK foreign office has warned against travel to parts of the Middle East, including parts of Turkey since Friday, due to the heightened risk of regional tension. England face Ukraine in Turkey on Tuesday in a women’s World Cup qualifier. The England squad have been in Antalya in the south west of the country, around 800 kilometres from where travel is specifically advised against (the Syrian border), since Wednesday. The Football Association (FA) remains in contact with the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office regarding travel and security. Turkey are also due to play Malta in a women’s World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. The Athletic has contacted UEFA for comment. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Ali Rampling is a Deputy Managing Editor at The Athletic. Prior to joining The Athletic, she worked as the Women's Football Editor at 90min. Ali attended Loughborough University, and originates from Ipswich. Follow Ali on Twitter @Ali Rampling