Sports Ministry says ban for ‘security’ of athletes earlier than a sport between Iranian and Emirati golf equipment in Saudi Arabia.
Published On 27 Mar 2026
Iran has banned its sports teams from travelling to countries it considers “hostile”, Iranian state TV reported, earlier than membership aspect Tractor SC’s scheduled soccer match in Saudi Arabia.
The ban on Thursday comes practically a month after United States-Israeli attacks on Iran led to war on February 28.
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An announcement by Iran’s Ministry of Sports asserting the ban singled out the Tractor playoff game within the Asian Champions League towards Shabab Al Ahli of Dubai that was set to be performed in Saudi Arabia subsequent month.
“The presence of national and club teams in countries that are considered hostile and are unable to ensure the security of Iranian athletes and team members is prohibited until further notice,” it stated.
The ministry added that the soccer federation and golf equipment “will be responsible for notifying the Asian Football Confederation of this matter in order to relocate the games”.
The assertion didn’t present a listing of countries deemed hostile.
Tractor’s playoff sport in Saudi Arabia was the results of the Asian Football Confederation’s draw on Wednesday to decide the quarterfinal pairings, a day after asserting that the western zone playoffs that have been postponed due to the war have been rescheduled for April 13-14 in Jeddah.
The Saudi metropolis can also be slated to host the event quarterfinals, semifinals and last from April 16-25, with organisers setting the dates and hoping for peace within the area.
Thursday’s assertion by the Iranian Sports Ministry didn’t point out the World Cup – to be held in Canada, Mexico, and the US in June and July – which Iran has certified for.
The Iranian ambassador in Mexico City has stated the nation was negotiating with FIFA to transfer Iran’s three group-stage matches from the US to Mexico after US President Donald Trump discouraged the group from attending the 48-nation event, citing security considerations.
Last week, nevertheless, FIFA President Gianni Infantino additional dampened Iran’s attempts to transfer its World Cup matches, saying international soccer’s governing physique desires the event “to go ahead as scheduled”.
Iranian authorities and soccer officers have stated they don’t want to boycott the World Cup, however that it’s not doable for the nationwide group to come to the US due to its joint assaults with Israel on Iran.
The Iranian nationwide squad is currently in Turkiye making ready for pleasant internationals towards Nigeria on Friday and Costa Rica on Tuesday.