Iran Bans Sports Teams from Travelling to ‘Hostile’ Countries Amid Ongoing War
Iran has barred its national and club sports teams from travelling to countries it considers “hostile,” citing security concerns for athletes amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The directive, announced by Iran’s Ministry of Sports on Thursday, comes ahead of a scheduled Asian Champions League playoff involving Iranian club Tractor SC, which was due to face UAE side Shabab Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia next month.
According to the ministry, the decision is aimed at protecting athletes and team officials, stating that participation in countries deemed unable to guarantee their safety is “prohibited until further notice.” Iranian authorities have also instructed the country’s football federation and clubs to liaise with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to arrange alternative venues for affected matches.
The ban follows the escalation of hostilities that began on February 28 after attacks on Iran by US-Israeli forces, raising regional security concerns.
Although the ministry did not specify which countries fall under the “hostile” category, the move could have broader implications for international competitions, including the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iran has already qualified for the tournament, which is set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, Iranian officials have indicated that they are in discussions with FIFA to relocate their group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico due to safety concerns.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has, however, maintained that the competition should proceed as scheduled, dealing a setback to Iran’s request.
Despite the tensions, Iranian authorities have said they do not intend to boycott the World Cup but insist that participation in matches hosted in the United States may not be feasible under current conditions.
Meanwhile, Iran’s national team is currently in Turkiye preparing for international friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica as part of their build-up to the global tournament.
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