Tehran, Iran – The Iranian Ministry of Sports has issued a decree banning national teams and sports clubs from traveling to countries considered hostile by Tehran until further notice, according to Iranian media reports. These reports indicated that the measure was taken to ensure the safety of Iranian athletes.
The ministry explained in an official statement that the presence of national teams and clubs in countries deemed “hostile” and unable to guarantee the safety of Iranian athletes is now temporarily prohibited. The ministry did not specify a clear list of these countries.
The ministry has requested that the Iranian Football Federation and local clubs notify the Asian Football Confederation. This is to facilitate the relocation of matches to alternative venues should they be held in those countries.
The statement mentioned a highly anticipated match between Iran’s Tractor Sazi and the UAE’s Shabab Al-Ahli. The match was scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, but the venue and date were not disclosed.
This decision comes about a month after a military escalation in the region, following US-Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, which sparked widespread tension in the Middle East.
In a related development, Iran is seeking to move its matches in the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Its matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt were originally scheduled to take place in the United States.
