Iran has barred its national teams from traveling abroad in the wake of the war, a decision already creating disruptions across international sports calendars.
On the 28th, Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s Ministry of Sports announced it would ban national-team and club activities in countries where it cannot guarantee the safety of players and staff, effective until further notice.
The order was issued roughly a month after the conflict erupted on Feb. 28 following attacks by the United States and Israel.
The ministry specifically cited the Asian Champions League playoff between Tractor SC and Shabab Al Ahli — scheduled in Saudi Arabia next month — as subject to the ban.
In response, the Iranian Football Federation and the clubs said they will ask the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to relocate the match.
The fixture had been rescheduled for April 13–14 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of a reworked West Asia calendar delayed by the conflict. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final were also slated for Jeddah.
Officials say the move is likely to force broader changes across the tournament schedule.
Iran has not published a list of countries it considers “hostile.”
Observers warn the ban could also complicate Iran’s participation at the World Cup in North America this June.
Iran has already qualified for the tournament, but officials say sending the team to the United States will be difficult.
Iran’s ambassador to Mexico said Tehran is in talks with FIFA about staging its group-stage matches in Mexico rather than the United States.
The proposal comes after U.S. President Donald Trump effectively opposed the Iranian team’s entry on safety grounds.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, however, said he hopes the tournament will proceed as planned and indicated he opposes altering the schedule.
Iranian authorities say they do not intend to boycott the World Cup, but they maintain that, given recent U.S. and Israeli attacks, sending the team to the United States would be difficult at this time.
Meanwhile, Iran is holding a training camp in Türkiye and preparing friendlies against Nigeria and Costa Rica.
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