Iran bans sports teams from travelling to countries it deems 'hostile'

[p][b]"The presence of national and club ⁠teams ​in countries considered hostile and unable to ensure the ‌security of Iranian athletes and team members is prohibited until further notice," the ministry said.[/b][/p][p]The ministry added that the Football ‌Federation and clubs ​are required to ‌notify the Asian Football Confederation to relocate match venues.[/p][p][b]It ​cited club team Tractor FC playing a United Arab Emirates team in Saudi ​Arabia in its statement, but did not specify which venues needed to be relocated or which ⁠countries were deemed ​hostile.[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/iran/xrRx85iA/"]Iran[/a] have qualified for this year's World Cup, which is being jointly hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, although their participation in the ‌soccer tournament has been under threat since the conflict between the Islamic Republic and the U.S. and Israel began in late February.[/p][p]US President Donald Trump said earlier this month that while Iran's national team were welcome to play in the US, it might not be appropriate for their "life and safety."[/p][p]Iran's football federation is in discussions ‌with the world governing body FIFA about moving ​its World Cup matches to Mexico from ‌the US, federation President Mehdi Taj said last week.[/p][p]The squad is currently in Turkey preparing for friendly internationals against Nigeria on Friday and Costa Rica on Tuesday.[/p]