The Ghana Black Queens, the country’s senior women’s national football team, remain safe in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, amid escalating regional tensions stemming from the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, which has expanded to involve retaliatory strikes and disruptions across the Middle East.
The team arrived in Dubai on February 25, 2026, to compete in the Pink Ladies Cup, a four-nation invitational tournament featuring Ghana, Hong Kong, Russia, and Tanzania, held across venues in Dubai and Sharjah from February 28 to March 6. This competition was designed as key preparation for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to begin in Morocco on March 17.
The Black Queens kicked off strongly, securing a convincing 4-0 victory over Hong Kong in their opening match on February 28 at the Al Hamriya Sports Club Stadium. However, that same evening, reports emerged of Iranian missile strikes impacting parts of Dubai, including areas near hotels and the airport, prompting immediate airspace closures across the UAE and neighboring countries. All international flights in and out of the region were grounded or canceled.
They are currently sheltered safely at their hotel in Sharjah (specifically the Four Points by Sheraton), with Ghanaian government officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, confirming that the players and staff are secure, in good health, and being monitored closely.
Team officials have advised the group to pack their belongings as a precautionary step while awaiting potential evacuation arrangements or updates from authorities. Ghana has issued travel advisories in response to the situation.
The heightened conflict has created significant uncertainty for the remainder of the Pink Ladies Cup. The team’s scheduled matches against Russia on March 3 and Tanzania on March 6 now appear doubtful or at risk of postponement or cancellation, with no official confirmation yet on whether the tournament as a whole will proceed, be suspended, or be fully scrapped due to the ongoing safety concerns and logistical chaos.
Broader sporting events in the region have also faced disruptions, including flight issues for athletes and teams worldwide, but the Black Queens’ predicament has drawn particular attention in Ghana as officials work to prioritize their safe return home.