Iran bans sports teams from travelling to ‘hostile’ countries amid war

Al Jazeera
March 27, 2026
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3 min read

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Iran's Sports Ministry banned Iranian sports teams from traveling to hostile countries, citing security concerns.

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Iran's Sports Ministry has banned national sports teams from traveling to countries it deems "hostile," citing athlete security concerns. The ban was announced ahead of a scheduled match between Iranian and Emirati club teams set to take place in Saudi Arabia. The move reflects Tehran's broader regional tensions, particularly following escalations in its conflict with Israel and strained relations with Gulf Arab states aligned with the United States. The policy could disrupt regional sports competitions and further isolate Iranian athletic programs from international play. The ban underscores Iran's practice of restricting civilian movement during periods of heightened geopolitical conflict.

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Iran's Sports Ministry issued a ban on sports team travel to hostile countries.

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