Iran Banned from Hosting International Football

Iranian women cheer during the football match between their national team and Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. (AP)
Iranian women cheer during the football match between their national team and Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. (AP)
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Iran Banned from Hosting International Football

Iranian women cheer during the football match between their national team and Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. (AP)
Iranian women cheer during the football match between their national team and Cambodia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran. (AP)

Iran's football federation said Friday it has been told it will not be hosting any international matches on Iranian soil.

The federation said it received a letter from the Asian Football Confederation saying that all matches involving Iranian teams will be held in a third country.

The Iranians did not say if any reason was given or if the decision is related to the accidental shootdown of a Ukrainian jetliner last week, which killed all 176 people on board.

The AFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“Iran is fully ready to host various teams as it has repeatedly proven during the past several years," Amirmahdi Alavi, a spokesman for the Iranian federation, was quoted as saying by the semi-official Mehr news agency.

He pointed to Iran's hosting of the 2018 AFC Champions League final at Azadi Stadium in the capital, Tehran, as an example. He also said the Sports Ministry has provided the required security guarantees to the AFC.

Iran's federation, which has four teams in the AFC Champions League, said it would meet with AFC officials to express its opposition to the decision.

Last season the Iranian teams played Saudi teams in the United Arab Emirates. the Saudi teams did not travel to Iran because the two countries severed diplomatic relations in 2016.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard accidentally shot the Ukrainian flight down on Jan. 8 as it was expecting a counterattack after firing several missiles at US troops in Iraq. The missile attack was retaliation for the killing of Iran's top general in a US airstrike.

Iranian officials initially blamed the crash on a technical problem and only admitted responsibility three days later, after Western leaders said there was mounting evidence the plane was brought down by a surface-to-air missile.



Qiddiya Named Founding Partner of the Formula 1® stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025

Qiddiya Named Founding Partner of the Formula 1® stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025
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Qiddiya Named Founding Partner of the Formula 1® stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025

Qiddiya Named Founding Partner of the Formula 1® stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025

Saudi Motorsport Company, the promoter of the Formula 1® stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025, has announced a strategic partnership with Qiddiya Investment Company, one of the flagship initiatives of the Public Investment Fund. Under this agreement, Qiddiya becomes a Founding Partner of the 2025 edition of the Formula 1® stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, SPA reported.
This collaboration builds on Qiddiya Investment Company’s strong relationship with the Grand Prix and underscores its unwavering commitment to championing Saudi Arabia’s cultural identity on the global stage. As a Founding Partner, Qiddiya will support the continued growth of the Kingdom’s entertainment, sports, and cultural sectors—delivering world-class experiences that inspire both local communities and international audiences.
Commenting on the announcement, CEO of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation Khalid Al-Suwaidan said: “We are proud to expand our partnership with Qiddiya Investment Company. Their involvement will help unlock the full potential of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit – the fastest street circuit in the world – and further solidify Saudi Arabia’s position on the global motorsport map.”
“This partnership is a testament to our commitment to delivering exceptional sporting experiences on a global scale. We are confident it will pave the way for continued achievements, embedding sport more deeply into everyday life while enhancing the Kingdom’s image on the international stage,” Al-Suwaidan added.
Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company Abdullah AlDawood said: “We are proud to be a Founding Partner of the Formula 1® stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2025, one of the most prestigious events on the global sporting calendar. This partnership reflects Qiddiya’s commitment to bringing world-class experiences to the Kingdom and supporting the continued growth of motorsport in Saudi Arabia. As we develop Qiddiya City into the future capital of Entertainment, Sports, and Culture, initiatives like this play a key role in shaping a vibrant and dynamic future for our youth and reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position on the world stage.”