The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reassured Ghanaians that the Black Queens, the national women’s football team, are safe and accounted for in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite rising regional tensions tied to an ongoing Middle East conflict.
The statement comes amid heightened security concerns following a series of military exchanges between Iran and allied forces in the region, which have led to airspace closures and disrupted civilian travel .Speaking after a meeting with the team, GFA President Kurt Okraku urged calm, confirming that the Association is working closely with Ghana’s diplomatic mission in the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana and security advisers to monitor developments.
“We remain in close contact with all stakeholders and will provide updates should the situation evolve,” Mr. Okraku said, emphasizing the team’s welfare and safety as a priority.
Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Minister for Sports and Recreation Kofi Adams have also reached out directly to the players and staff to express support and reassure them of government backing.
The Black Queens are in the UAE preparing for the Pink Ladies Cup 2026, an invitational tournament serving as part of their build-up to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. They opened the competition with a strong 4-0 win over Hong Kong but have since been confined to their base in Sharjah after Dubai and other UAE airspace was closed as a precaution amid the conflict.
While the team’s accommodation has not been directly affected by the attacks, officials have kept players informed and asked them to remain ready should plans change. Ghana’s diplomatic mission in the Emirates continues to provide consular support to the delegation.
Regional military developments have seen Iranian strikes against UAE territory in retaliation for wider hostilities, with the UAE’s air defences intercepting most projectiles though debris and indirect impacts have been reported in parts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Travel disruptions and safety warnings have been issued by several governments, with airlines suspending flights and civil aviation authorities restricting airspace.
As the Black Queens continue their preparations under unprecedented circumstances, the GFA has asked the Ghanaian public to remain calm and trust official updates on the situation.