The conflict at Oriente Médio directly impacts Asian football competitions and leaves the Brazilian coach stranded at Catar. Ney Franco, commander of Al-Hussein, of Jordânia, describes the situation as being at the center of regional instability. The club’s delegation has remained in Doha since last Saturday (February 28, 2026), with no plans to return to their country of origin due to the closure of airspace and security risks.
Confederação Asiática of Futebol (AFC) has postponed matches from Champions League Two, including the quarter-final clash between Al-Hussein and Al-Ahli of Medida similarly hit games from Champions League Elite and Challenge League in the West region. The decision prioritizes the protection of athletes, technical committees and fans amid the escalation of military attacks involving Irã, Israel and Estados Unidos.
Ney Franco reports that tension is noticeable even in areas considered safer. Distant Explosões are heard from the hotel where the team is staying, although the location is far from American military bases, the main target of Iranian retaliation in Catar.
The Brazilian coach has experience at clubs such as Flamengo, São Paulo and Cruzeiro, but is now facing his first international stint. Ele highlights the difficulty of maintaining a sporting routine in a war context.
Improvised preparation amid uncertainty
The team carries out adapted training within the hotel. Trabalhos physicals take place in the on-site gym, but sessions on the field have been canceled due to safety concerns. The absence of complete tactical activities compromises preparation for future games.
Players and staff maintain constant contact with family members at Jordânia and Brasil. Ney Franco states that his family in Ipatinga (MG) is safe and that he does not intend to return to his home country at this time.
The focus remains on preserving the physical integrity of the group. The technician emphasizes the need for patience until the air and ground situation normalizes.
Impact on the Jordanian championship
The Campeonato Jordaniano continues, with the Al-Hussein in the lead and the start of the third round. Restam 12 rounds to define the title. Jogos take place without an audience and with frequent interruptions due to anti-aircraft alerts.
Sirens sound as missiles cross the airspace, sending athletes seeking shelter in locker rooms. A recent example involved the Al-Faisaly match, which was temporarily stopped in the second half due to the risk of debris.
Emergency protocols were adopted across the country. Clubes adjust logistics to minimize exposure to incidents.
Continental dream postponed
Al-Hussein eliminated Esteghlal, from Irã, in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Two. The first leg took place at Dubai because of previous restrictions in the region. The classification represented a milestone for the Jordanian club.
Advancing to the semifinals could put the team in confrontation with Al-Nassr, from Arábia Saudita, led by Jorge Jesus and with Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad. The possibility motivates the group despite the postponements.
The club also competes in the quarterfinals of Copa of Jordânia. Ney Franco reinforces the commitment to the contract and the desire to win local and continental titles.
Routine changed in Catar
Prolonged accommodation at Doha forces daily adaptations. Refeições and meetings take place at the hotel, with constant monitoring of news about the conflict. The Catar maintains relative internal stability, but the risk of escalation remains high.
Ney Franco describes the environment as “inside the eye of the hurricane”, with a feeling of proximity to the conflict even in a protected area. The team is awaiting the release of flights to return to Jordânia.
The coach prioritizes dialogue with the squad to keep morale high. Conversas focus on resilience and maintaining competitiveness when competitions resume.
Asian football faces widespread disruption in the western region. The AFC monitors the evolution of the crisis to define new game dates. Safety remains an absolute priority.
