Hong Kong has officially pulled its women’s national team out of the Pink Ladies Cup following a series of missile strikes in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing safety concerns for players and staff.
The decision comes after the UAE was targeted by missile attacks from Iran. These strikes were reportedly carried out in response to US-Israeli military actions against Iran over the weekend.
The escalating conflict has raised alarms about the stability and safety of the region.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Football Association of Hong Kong, China (HKFA) confirmed the withdrawal. “Due to the continuously tense situation in the Middle East, the HKFA has formally written to the organisers of the Pink Ladies Cup 2026 that the Hong Kong, China Women’s Representative Team will withdraw from the tournament and will not participate in the remaining matches,” the statement read. The HKFA emphasized that the safety of its staff and players was its “top priority” in making the decision.
Hong Kong had already played its opening match of the tournament, suffering a 4-0 loss to Ghana. They were scheduled to face Tanzania on March 4 and Russia on March 6. With their departure, those matches will no longer take place as planned.
Despite Hong Kong’s exit, the other competing countries, that is Tanzania, Ghana, and Russia have yet to announce any plans to withdraw or suspend their participation in the tournament.
It remains unclear whether the organisers will continue with the remaining fixtures or adjust the schedule.
For Ghana, the Pink Ladies Cup serves as a key preparation opportunity ahead of the Women’s AFCON. The team is gearing up for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to take place in Morocco later this month.
The situation in the Middle East remains fluid, and it is uncertain whether further developments could impact other international sporting events in the region. For now, Hong Kong’s exit highlights the growing concern among sports organisations about the safety of travelling to areas affected by military conflict.