Black Queens stranded in UAE amid U.S-Iran conflict

Members of Ghana’s national women’s football team are stranded in the United Arab Emirates after authorities closed the country’s airspace following the outbreak of hostilities between United States and Iran.

‎‎The squad arrived in Dubai on Wednesday, 25 February, to participate in the Pink Ladies’ Cup, a four-nation tournament organised as part of the international women’s football calendar. The competition was intended to help the team fine-tune preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Morocco on 17 March.

‎On Saturday, the Queens opened their campaign in impressive fashion with a 4-0 victory over Hong Kong. But celebrations were short-lived.

‎Later that evening, parts of Dubai reportedly came under Iranian missile strikes, with some hotels and sections of the airport said to have been affected. In response, the UAE announced the closure of its airspace and the cancellation of all incoming and outgoing flights, leaving the Ghanaian delegation unable to depart.

‎The 41-member contingent which is made up of 25 players and 16 officials, is lodged at Four Points by Sheraton Sharjah, located in the neighbouring emirate of Sharjah. While the team’s immediate surroundings have not been directly hit, players say they can see affected areas roughly 10 to 15 minutes away from their hotel.

‎Sources told Joy Sports that team officials have instructed players to pack their luggage in anticipation of a possible evacuation. For now, they remain confined to their hotel rooms, waiting anxiously for further updates.

‎“We have all finished packing and are awaiting further communication from the officials,” one player said. Another added: “The irony is that while we are packed and ready to leave, more people are trooping into the hotel. The lobby is crowded.” Players told Joysports.

‎Ghana were scheduled to face Russia on Tuesday before concluding the tournament against Tanzania on Friday. Those fixtures now appear increasingly unlikely to go ahead.

‎In a statement issued on Saturday, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it is assessing the situation regarding a possible evacuation of Ghanaian nationals in affected areas. The country’s embassy in the UAE has urged citizens to remain calm and avoid unnecessary travel.

‎For now, the focus has shifted from football to safety, as the Black Queens await clarity on when they can return home.