Iran Bans Teams from Travelling to ‘Hostile’ Countries Over Safety Concerns

Iran’s Ministry of Sports has barred national teams and clubs from travelling to countries it considers hostile, citing concerns over the safety of athletes and officials. 

The decision, announced in state media on Thursday, is expected to disrupt several upcoming Asian football fixtures.

The ministry said Iranian teams are prohibited from participating in competitions in countries deemed unable to guarantee their security until further notice. 

It instructed sports authorities to take immediate steps to avoid potential risks amid rising regional tensions.

The move directly affects Tractor FC, which had been scheduled to face Shabab Al Ahli in an Asian Champions League Elite playoff in Jeddah. 

The fixture was set following a draw conducted earlier this week by the Asian Football Confederation.

The AFC had confirmed that western zone playoff matches, previously postponed due to regional instability, would take place on 13 and 14 April in Jeddah. 

Iran’s sports ministry has now directed the national football federation and relevant clubs to coordinate with the AFC to seek alternative venues.

The decision comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, including ongoing missile and drone exchanges linked to the broader conflict involving Iran, which have affected multiple countries in the region.

In a separate development, Iran’s national team is still scheduled to play a friendly match against Nigeria national football team on Friday in Turkey.

Despite the travel restrictions, the Iranian Football Federation reaffirmed its commitment to participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

In a statement, the federation stressed that the World Cup is organised by FIFA and not by any single host nation.

“Iran qualified on merit,” the statement said, adding that no authority has the right to exclude the team from the tournament. It also argued that any host country unable to guarantee the safety of participants should be subject to scrutiny.

Iran have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium national football team, Egypt national football team, and New Zealand national football team.