Members of Ghana’s senior women’s national football team( the Black Queens ) are currently stranded but safe in the United Arab Emirates following the sudden closure of the country’s airspace amid escalating tensions linked to the US/Israel–Iran conflict.
The team arrived in Dubai on February 25 to participate in the Pink Ladies Cup, a four-nation invitational tournament scheduled as part of the international women’s football calendar.
The competition was intended to serve as preparation for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, which kicks off on March 17.
Ghana began their campaign on a strong note, recording a 4-0 victory over Hong Kong in their opening fixture on Saturday.
However, later that evening, parts of Dubai were reportedly impacted by missile activity linked to the regional conflict, prompting authorities to suspend flights into and out of the country.
The Ghanaian delegation, made up of 25 players and 16 officials, is currently lodged at Four Points by Sheraton in Sharjah, a city near Dubai. Team officials have instructed players to pack their belongings as a precautionary measure while awaiting further directives.
Although the team’s immediate surroundings have not been directly affected, players say they can see impacted areas within a short distance from their hotel. The situation has created uncertainty, with the squad confined indoors as they await updates.
The team was scheduled to face Russia on Tuesday before concluding the tournament against Tanzania on Friday, but both fixtures are now in doubt due to the unfolding developments.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is monitoring the situation and assessing possible next steps concerning Ghanaian nationals in affected areas. The country’s embassy in the UAE has urged citizens to remain calm and avoid unnecessary movement as authorities continue to evaluate the security situation.
