Picture this: You wake at 4:30 a.m. to eat a pre-dawn meal, knowing it’s your last chance to eat or drink until sunset. By evening, you will have run 10 kilometres or competed in front of millions of spectators, all without a single sip of water or morsel of food. For Muslim athletes observing Ramadan, this is reality for an entire month.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, requires Muslims to fast from sunrise to sunset as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. No food. No water. No exceptions during daylight hours. For athletes, this creates an extraordinary challenge where they must compete at elite levels while deprived of basic sustenance. Research on Algerian soccer players, for example, found significant declines in speed and endurance while fasting, with 70 per cent of athletes reporting that their performance suffered. Yet worldwide, Muslim athletes continue competing at the highest levels while maintaining their observance.
The Premier League showcased this during the 2025-26 season, with 55 Muslim players across its 20 clubs navigating Ramadan while fighting for titles. Liverpool FC’s Mohamed Salah habitually observes his fast even as his team chases Premier League titles. This year, Salah and his teammates are set to compete in the high-stakes Round of 16 in the Champions League against Galatasaray S.K. on March 10, where he will once again likely have to break his fast on the side of the field. Analysts consistently acknowledge potential dips in form during crucial matches, highlighting that competitive calendars do not pause for faith.
In the National Basketball Association (NBA), Kyrie Irving became the most visible advocate for Muslim athletes during Ramadan. After disclosing his conversion to Islam, Irving scored 34 points in a 2022 playoff victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers while fasting, later explaining how he felt connected to millions of Muslims worldwide observing alongside him.
The challenges extend beyond physical deprivation. Fasting disrupts sleep patterns, as athletes wake before dawn for suhoor and stay up after sunset for iftar and prayers. The body shifts from glucose to fat utilization after 12 to 16 hours without food. Dehydration becomes critical for sports requiring constant movement. Yet athletes from Lamine Yamal at FC Barcelona to Jaylen Brown with the Boston Celtics continue competing at elite levels.
Some sports organizations have implemented accommodations. Since 2021, the Premier League allows referees to pause matches briefly around sunset, enabling fasting players to break their fast with dates and water. Manchester United hosted its second historic Ramadan iftar celebration at Old Trafford in February 2026. Clubs like LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS) have detailed how they provide tailored nutrition plans emphasizing high-fibre carbohydrates and lean proteins at sunrise to maximize energy throughout the day, with glycogen-replenishing meals at sunset to aid in recovery. Alongside this nutrition work, many clubs adjust training schedules to evenings, and work with sports scientists to optimize their players’ performance whilst observing Ramadan.
However, approaches vary dramatically. While the Premier League embraces accommodation, France’s Football Federation banned official pauses for breaking fasts in the name of neutrality, forcing players like Achraf Hakimi to wait until halftime. Even where protocols exist, acceptance isn’t guaranteed. During Leeds United’s match against Manchester City on Feb. 28, audible boos erupted when play paused for Muslim players to break their fast. Despite messages on stadium screens explaining the stoppage, Pep Guardiola and anti-discrimination group Kick It Out made sure to condemn the fans’ callous disrespect. This patchwork approach highlights the need for universal standards respecting religious observance while maintaining competitive integrity.
Sports bodies ought to formalize and universalize their support systems, provide education for coaches and teammates, and recognize that accommodation is not special treatment—it is equality. Muslim athletes should not have to choose between their faith and their profession, especially amongst the additional struggles that come with their careers or religious alignments.
As Jaylen Brown noted: “Ramadan is something special. It’s something that’s saved my life in a lot of ways [.…] Some things are bigger than basketball.”
The extraordinary commitment of athletes who fast while competing demands strong institutional support. It is simply the bottom line for allowing athletes of all ages, shapes, sizes, and crafts to honour both their faith and career without compromise.
