Ghana’s senior women’s national football team, the Black Queens, are currently stranded in the United Arab Emirates after sudden airspace closures and widespread flight cancellations linked to an escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The team had arrived in Dubai on 25 February 2026 to participate in the Pink Ladies’ Cup, an international preparatory tournament ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations set for 17 March in Morocco.
After winning their opening match 4-0 against Hong Kong on 28 February, the Black Queens found their travel plans disrupted when authorities shut UAE airspace in response to retaliatory missile and drone strikes tied to a deepening Israel-Iran conflict. Reports indicate Iranian strikes have impacted parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, causing airport disruptions and prompting airlines to cancel flights across the region.
Stranded with 25 players and 16 officials, the Ghanaian contingent is confined to their hotel in Sharjah as officials prepare for potential evacuation. Team members have reportedly packed their luggage and await further instructions, though uncertainty remains over when they can safely depart.
The Ghanaian government has urged citizens in the region to remain calm and avoid non-essential travel while monitoring the volatile situation.
