Iran Prohibits National Teams from Competing in Hostile Nations
Iran has banned its national and club sports teams from travelling to countries deemed hostile due to safety concerns, citing the need to protect athletes. The move affects teams like Tractor FC, which had a match scheduled in Saudi Arabia.
Iran bans sports teams from travelling to 'hostile' countries amid safety concerns...
Iran has banned its national and club sports teams from traveling to countries it considers hostile due to safety concerns for its athletes. The Sports Ministry stated that teams are prohibited from visiting these countries until further notice.
The ministry has instructed the Football Federation to relocate matches to safer venues, citing the need to ensure the security of Iranian athletes and team members. This decision may impact Iran's participation in international competitions, including the upcoming World Cup.
The ministry stated that the Football Federation and clubs must notify the Asian Football Confederation to relocate match venues. It mentioned Tractor FC, a club team, playing a United Arab Emirates team in Saudi Arabia as an example, but didn't specify which venues or countries are considered hostile.
No specific countries or venues were named as hostile in the statement. The ministry's directive aims to ensure compliance with the relocation requirement.
Iran has qualified for the 2026 World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. However, their participation has been uncertain due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US/Israel. US President Donald Trump stated that while Iran's national team is welcome to play in the US, it might not be safe for them.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has stated that it hasn't received any formal notification from Iran about withdrawing from the tournament. FIFA has warned Iran that it could face fines and a ban from future competitions if it withdraws. Iran had previously asked FIFA to move its scheduled matches from the US to Mexico, citing safety concerns, but FIFA denied this request.
Iran's football federation is in talks with FIFA to move their World Cup matches from the US to Mexico due to safety concerns. Federation President Mehdi Taj stated that the team won't travel to the US after US President Donald Trump expressed doubts about guaranteeing their security.
The Iranian squad is currently in Turkey preparing for friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica, focusing on their game amidst geopolitical tensions. FIFA has acknowledged the discussions but hasn't confirmed any changes to the schedule.
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