The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the postponement of all second-leg knockout matches in the West Region of its club competitions, extending an earlier decision to delay first-leg fixtures amid ongoing regional instability.

The governing body announced Tuesday that the second-leg matches originally scheduled between March 9 and 11, 2026, will be postponed until further notice. The affected fixtures include the Round of 16 second legs in the AFC Champions League Elite, as well as the quarter-final second legs in the AFC Champions League Two and the AFC Challenge League involving West Region clubs.

The move follows the AFC’s March 1 decision to postpone the first-leg knockout matches in the West Region, citing safety and security concerns.

The confederation stated that the wellbeing of players, officials, supporters and commercial partners remains its top priority. The AFC also stated that updated schedules will be announced in due course.

Teams Affected

In the AFC Champions League Elite Round of 16 (West Region), the postponed second legs involve leading clubs from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and Uzbekistan, including:

• Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia)
• Al Nassr FC (Saudi Arabia)
• Al Sadd SC (Qatar)
• Al Duhail SC (Qatar)
• Shabab Al Ahli (United Arab Emirates)
• Persepolis FC (Iran)
• Sepahan SC (Iran)
• Navbahor Namangan (Uzbekistan)

In the AFC Champions League Two and AFC Challenge League quarter-finals (West Region), postponed ties involve clubs such as:

• Al Kuwait SC (Kuwait)
• Al Wehdat SC (Jordan)
• Al Riffa SC (Bahrain)
• Istiklol Dushanbe (Tajikistan)

(Final match pairings are subject to AFC confirmation once new dates are set.)

The AFC Champions League Elite represents the top tier of Asian club football following the competition’s restructuring, while the AFC Champions League Two serves as the second-tier tournament.

The AFC Challenge League provides continental competition opportunities for emerging football nations.

The West Region encompasses clubs from West and Central Asia, while East Region teams — including clubs from Japan, South Korea, China, Thailand, and Australia — remain unaffected.

The AFC confirmed that all East Region matches across its competitions will proceed as scheduled.

The Bayat Foundation has distributed food packages to dozens of needy  families in Maidan Wardak province as part of its ongoing nationwide Ramadan assistance campaign.

Foundation officials said the packages — which included flour, rice, and cooking oil — were delivered following a needs assessment to ensure support reached the most deserving households, including displaced and low-income families struggling to meet basic needs.

Haji Mohammad Ismail, Deputy of the Bayat Foundation, said the initiative builds on similar Ramadan efforts already carried out in provinces. “We are pleased to extend assistance today to deserving and displaced families in Maidan Wardak,” he said, emphasizing the foundation’s commitment to continuing support throughout the holy month.

Afghanistan continues to face severe economic hardship, with high unemployment and reduced income opportunities pushing many families into poverty.

Years of conflict, natural disasters, and economic instability have left millions reliant on humanitarian assistance, particularly during Ramadan, when food insecurity becomes even more acute for vulnerable households.

Aid recipients expressed gratitude for the support and urged other charitable organizations and donors to expand assistance to communities in need. “We sincerely thank the Bayat Foundation for this support,” one beneficiary said.

In addition to emergency food aid, the Bayat Foundation has implemented long-term development projects across Afghanistan, including the construction of schools, health centers, and mosques, as well as drilling deep-water wells to improve access to safe drinking water in underserved communities.

Football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo is thought to have left Saudi Arabia amid rising security concerns following a drone strike on the United States Embassy Riyadh on Tuesday.

Saudi authorities confirmed that two drones struck the embassy compound in the capital, causing minor structural damage and a small fire.

Officials said there were no casualties, but security measures were immediately heightened across the city. The embassy issued safety advisories to U.S. citizens, urging caution and limiting movement near diplomatic facilities.

Flight tracking data indicated that Ronaldo’s private jet departed Riyadh shortly after the incident. While it has not been officially confirmed whether the Portuguese star and his family were on board, the timing of the departure has fueled speculation that the move was prompted by escalating regional tensions.

Ronaldo, who currently plays for Al-Nassr FC, has been based in Saudi Arabia since joining the Saudi Pro League. Neither the player nor his representatives have publicly commented on the reported departure.

The embassy attack comes amid broader instability in the region, with increased drone and missile activity targeting diplomatic and strategic sites.

Saudi security forces remain on high alert as authorities investigate the source of the strike and assess the wider implications for regional stability.