Iran has announced that its national and club sports teams are prohibited from travelling to countries deemed “hostile”, following heightened regional tensions. The decision comes ahead of a planned match between an Iranian club and an Emirati side in Saudi Arabia.
The Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth said in a statement carried by the ISNA news agency:
“The presence of national and club teams in countries considered hostile, where the security of Iranian athletes cannot be guaranteed, is prohibited until further notice.”
The statement specifically referenced reports concerning the Tractor SC clash against an Emirati team in the AFC Champions League. Iranian clubs and the Football Federation have been instructed to inform the Asian Football Confederation so that affected matches can be relocated.
The move follows the Middle East conflict triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran on 28 February. It comes just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled in June across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Iran have qualified for the tournament, with group-stage matches against New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt due in the US.
Separately, tensions in Iranian football have escalated after six players and a staff member from the Iranian women’s national team sought asylum in Australia earlier this month, refusing to sing the national anthem during the Asian Cup. Tehran has labelled them “traitors”. Five have since returned to Iran, while two remain in Australia.
