sports
Iran men's soccer team heading to Turkey for World Cup preparations
Iran's World Cup squad will travel to Turkey on Monday for a training camp, friendlies and to complete visa applications before heading to the United States, head coach Amir Ghalenoei said on Saturday.
TL;DR
- Iran's World Cup squad will travel to Turkey for a training camp and friendlies.
- The team will complete visa applications in Turkey before heading to the United States.
- Thirty players are in the squad, to be trimmed to 26 for the World Cup.
- Mehdi Taremi, a former Porto striker, is a well-known player in the squad.
- Iran hopes to play two friendlies in Antalya, with one confirmed against Gambia.
- Players are expected to undergo fingerprinting in Turkey for visa processes.
- Iran's base camp in the U.S. will be in Tucson, Arizona.
- Their World Cup group stage matches are scheduled against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt.
- There has been mixed messaging from President Trump regarding Iran's participation.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran's participation in the World Cup.
- Iran's football federation head stated the country will participate under FIFA's hosting, not America's or Trump's.