The Iranian national football team was scheduled to arrive in Basra for a four-nation tournament when their aircraft was denied permission to land. Authorities turned the flight away because of United States sanctions currently imposed on Iranian air carriers. To ensure their participation, the squad redirected their journey by bus and entered Iraqi territory through the Shalamcheh border crossing.
NewsFeed
Iraq blocks Iranian football team’s plane from landing over US sanctions
Iraq has barred Iran’s national football team from landing in Basra due to US sanctions on Iranian airlines. The team was forced to return to Iran before travelling by bus and entering Iraq via the Shalamcheh border crossing to compete in a four-nation tournament.
Published On 10 Nov 2026
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