Black Queens Players Stranded in UAE Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
Members of Ghana’s national women’s football team are stranded in the United Arab Emirates after the country closed its airspace and cancelled all flights in response to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict that erupted on Saturday night.
The team arrived in Dubai on Wednesday, 25 February, to participate in the Pink Ladies’ Cup, a four-nation tournament on the international women’s football calendar.
The Queens were using the competition to fine-tune preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, set to begin in Morocco on 17 March. They won their opening match against Hong Kong 4-0 on Saturday.
However, later that evening, parts of Dubai reportedly came under Iranian missile strikes, affecting some hotels and areas of the airport.
Sources told media that team officials have instructed players to pack their luggage in anticipation of a possible evacuation.
Players remain confined to their hotel rooms, anxious and uncertain about the situation.
The Ghanaian contingent, which includes 25 players and 16 officials, is staying at Four Points by Sheraton in Sharjah, a port city near Dubai. The Queens were scheduled to face Russia on Tuesday and conclude the tournament against Tanzania on Friday, but these fixtures are now in jeopardy.
Players speaking to Joy Sports confirmed that while their immediate surroundings have not been directly hit, they can see damaged areas approximately 10 to 15 minutes away from their hotel.
“We have all finished packing and are awaiting further communication from the officials,” one player said.
“The irony is that while we are packed and ready to leave, more people are arriving at the hotel. The lobby is crowded,” added another.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Saturday that it is still assessing the situation and the possibility of evacuating Ghanaian nationals in affected areas. Ghana’s Embassy in the UAE has urged citizens to remain calm and avoid unnecessary travel.
