West Asia war: Iran bans sports teams from visiting ‘hostile’ countries
Iran has banned its national and club sports teams from traveling to countries it considers hostile until further notice, citing concerns over athlete safety, Iranian media reported on Thursday. The Sports Ministry has issued this instruction amidst increasing tension on the sports activities of the country.
The ministry said the presence of Iranian teams in countries that are hostile and unable to guarantee the safety of athletes and team members is prohibited. This step has a direct impact Iran’s participation in international competitionsWhich also includes the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Iranian Football Federation and clubs have been instructed to inform the Asian Football Confederation to facilitate the transfer of match venues. The ministry referenced Tractor FC’s recent match against the UAE team in Saudi Arabia, but did not specify which venues or countries were considered hostile.
Iran has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. However, the team’s participation is in jeopardy due to travel restrictions and ongoing geopolitical tensions, especially with the US and Israel.
Earlier this month, East US President Donald Trump made this comment on Iran’s national team While they are welcome to compete in the United States, concerns remain about their safety. This has added uncertainty to Iran’s World Cup plans.
In response, the Iranian Football Federation is discussing with FIFA about moving Iran’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico, federation president Mehdi Taj said last week. The aim of these talks is to secure Iran’s continued participation in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Iranian team is training in Türkiye ahead of friendly international matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica this week. These matches are part of the team’s preparation for the World Cup.
The travel ban and venue relocation discussions underline the challenges Iran faces in securing its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup amid complex international relations and security concerns.
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