The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has ordered Iranian club Esteghlal FC to find a neutral ground for their upcoming AFC Champions League match against Saudi Pro League powerhouse Al Nassr, led by football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The match, initially scheduled for October 22nd at the Qods City Martyrs Stadium in Tehran, has been relocated due to the escalating tensions in the region involving Israel.
Esteghlal FC, in a statement, confirmed the AFC’s decision and assured fans that the final venue and match details will be announced officially through their club media.
This decision echoes the recent relocation of another Champions League match involving an Indian club. Earlier this month, Mohun Bagan Super Giant was set to play Iranian side Tractor FC at the Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium in Tabriz. However, rising tensions between Iran and Israel, sparked by the death of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, forced the AFC to intervene.
The escalating situation, which saw missiles launched at Israel by Iran, prompted Mohun Bagan’s players to voice their concerns about safety and decline to travel to Iran.
This move by the AFC highlights the growing security concerns in the region, with the organization taking steps to ensure the safety of players and officials participating in the prestigious Champions League.
Further underlining the AFC’s proactive approach, Iran’s upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Qatar, originally scheduled for October 15th in Mashhad, is also set to be moved to a different venue, as per the AFC’s request.
