Iran's Ministry of Sports has prohibited its teams from traveling to nations deemed 'hostile,' citing security risks. The ban follows Traktor Sazi FC's scheduled Asian Champions League game in Saudi Arabia, which was set for April. The ministry stated teams cannot participate in countries unable to ensure their safety, referencing regional conflicts and missile threats.

This move comes as Iran's national team faces challenges attending the 2026 World Cup due to ongoing military tensions with Israel and the U.S. The Asian Football Confederation rescheduled postponed matches to April 13-14 in Jeddah, while Saudi Arabia prepares to host the tournament's later stages. Iran's soccer federation must notify the confederation to relocate games, though FIFA insists the World Cup proceed as planned. The ban highlights geopolitical tensions affecting sports diplomacy and athlete safety.