Black Queens players stranded in UAE over Israel-Iran conflict

Members of Ghana’s national women’s football team are trapped in the United Arab Emirates, after the country announced closure of its airspace and the subsequent cancellation of all flights to and from the country in response to the Israel-Iran conflict which broke on out on Saturday night.

The team arrived in Dubai on Wednesday (25 February) for the Pink Ladies’ Cup, a four-nation tournament put together as part of the international women’s football calendar.

The Queens were using the games to fine tune preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 tournament, which kicks off in Morocco on 17 March.

The team played its first game against Hong Kong on Saturday, which they won 4-0.

However, later that evening, parts of Dubai reportedly came under attack from Iranian missile strikes, with some hotels and sections of the airport said to have been affected.

Sources at Joy Sports revealed that team officials have instructed players to pack their luggage in preparation for a possible evacuation. Players are reportedly confined to their hotel rooms, anxious and uncertain about the situation.

The Ghanaian contingent comprises 25 players and 16 officials, who are lodged at Four Points by Sheraton, located in Sharjah, a port city just outside Dubai. The Queens were expected to play against Russia on Tuesday before wrapping up the tournament with a clash against Tanzania on Friday. But those games now appear to be in jeopardy.

Players who spoke to Joy Sports confirmed that while the bombings have not directly affected their immediate surroundings, they can see impacted 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 told Joy Sports.

“The irony is that while we are packed and ready to leave, more people are trooping into the hotel. The lobby is crowded,” another player added.

Meanwhile, Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday, said it is still assessing the situation regarding the possible evacuation of Ghanaian nationals in affected areas. Ghana’s Embassy in the UAE has also advised Ghanaians in the country to remain calm and avoid unnecessary travel.