Iran’s national men’s team have intensified their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup with a training camp in southern Turkey, as geopolitical tensions continue to cast a shadow over their build-up.
The squad, widely known as Team Melli, trained in Belek, a coastal resort near Antalya, under strict media restrictions.
Officials limited access in a bid to maintain focus and shield players from external distractions ahead of two crucial friendly matches.
The Iranian Football Federation is also in talks with FIFA regarding the possibility of relocating their World Cup fixtures from the United States to Mexico.
Federation president Mehdi Taj recently cited safety concerns as a key reason for the proposed change.
Maintaining a deliberately low profile, the team has avoided public engagements, with no player or coaching interviews granted during the camp.
A media officer confirmed that the squad’s full attention is on their immediate fixtures and overall tournament readiness.
Iran are scheduled to face Nigeria on Friday before taking on Costa Rica next Tuesday, with both matches set to be played in Antalya.
The fixtures were initially planned for Jordan but were relocated to Turkey following the escalation of the ongoing conflict.
Despite the tense backdrop, players appeared at ease during training, taking advantage of the sunny conditions with a relaxed atmosphere that included moments of light-hearted interaction among teammates and staff.
Forward Mehdi Taremi was among those present, drawing recent attention after exchanging jerseys with an Israeli opponent during a club match for Olympiacos in Greece.
However, notable absentee Sardar Azmoun was left out of the squad.
Reports in Iranian media suggest the striker, who has netted 57 goals in 91 appearances for his country, was dropped following controversy over a social media post featuring a meeting with Dubai ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum—an act reportedly viewed as politically insensitive.
As preparations continue, Iran are bracing for not only competitive challenges on the pitch but also heightened scrutiny off it when the World Cup begins.
