Iran football team trains in Turkey amid war tensions and World Cup safety fears

Iran’s men’s national football team has trained in southern Turkey as the players gear up for two crucial pre-World Cup friendlies.

Their preparations are unfolding against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tension, with the squad anticipated to attract significant attention amid the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The team conducted a training session in Belek, a resort area near Antalya, under stringent media restrictions.

Officials stated the measure was to prevent distractions ahead of matches deemed vital for their World Cup readiness.

This cautious approach aligns with recent revelations from federation President Mehdi Taj, who last week confirmed discussions with Fifa regarding relocating Iran’s World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico due to player safety concerns.

This follows a warning from US president Donald Trump that it would not be “appropriate” for Iran to play in this summer’s tournament.

The Iranian camp has largely sought to maintain a low public profile, anticipating intense political and media scrutiny as the tournament approaches.

In Belek, no interviews with players or coaches were granted, with a team media representative emphasising the squad’s complete focus on their immediate competitive programme.

The team is scheduled to face Nigeria on Friday and Costa Rica on Tuesday in Antalya, fixtures that were originally planned for Jordan but moved to Turkey following the outbreak of the Iran war.

While players appeared relaxed during the sunny training session, with staff and team members observed chatting and joking, individual controversies have recently emerged.

Forward Mehdi Taremi faced scrutiny after swapping shirts with an Israeli opponent while playing for his club, Olympiacos, in Greece.

Separately, prolific striker Sardar Azmoun, who boasts 57 goals in 91 internationals, was omitted from the squad.

Iranian media reported his exclusion stemmed from a perceived act of disloyalty to the government, following an Instagram post featuring him meeting Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.