“It’s not easy”: Iran’s National Team tells how the war complicates its preparation for the World Cup

In exclusive interviews with the Associated Press during a team concentration in Türkiyetwo members of the Iranian team described how the conflict is affecting their preparations for the World Cup.

“Well, to be honest, it’s not easy.”says Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder who also played for Iran at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

“This will be my third World Cup. So for me and some of the other players, maybe it will be easier to cope with this kind of thing,” he explains in English on the sidelines of a training session on Wednesday. “But in the end… it’s going to be difficult for us because, at the same time, we are aware of the news in our country and, of course, political issues can affect the mentality of the players and the people.”

The Iranian team spent more than two weeks in Türkiye, training mainly in the coastal city of Antalya, with some players traveling to the capital Ankara, to submit visa applications at the United States embassy. Media access to their preparations for the World Cup has been limited, and players rarely speak to international journalists.

The team plans to travel to Mexico this weekend after receiving visas from the Mexican embassy in Ankara. On Thursday, the team announced that the process to obtain entry permits for all its members had concluded. Problems with visa processing forced Iran’s training base for the World Cup to be moved from Tucson, Arizona, a Tijuana, on the border of Mexico with California.

Iran will play its first two matches near Los Angeles, city ​​that has a large Iranian community, many of whose members They oppose the current government.

“Definitely, We expect a large influx of fans during our games in the stadium,” Ezatolahi declared. “This will put a lot of pressure on us, expectations are very high. Hopefully we can make them proud and show them that we Iranians are prepared for any challenge in the world,” he added.

Mohammad Ghorbani24 years old, will participate in his first World Cup with Iran.

“It is true that we are going through special circumstances at the moment, but we are footballers and we have to play, train and prepare for the competitions ahead of us,” the Abu Dhabi-based player tells the AP in Persian.

“On the other hand, we know that our people have gone through many difficulties during the war, and we go there for them, to obtain the best results for their joy and the joy of the people of our country.”

On February 28, The United States and Israel launched their war against Iranassassinating its supreme leader and other high officials. Iran responded with attacks against Israel, US forces and Arab Gulf states. Furthermore, it maintains absolute control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow entrance to the Persian Gulf, endangering global energy supplies.

Although there is a nominal ceasefire, Iran and the United States they have not yet negotiated a definitive end to war and attacks continue in the region.

The Iranian team is not required to enter the United States until June 14, one day before his first match against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Rams stadium in Inglewood.

Iran returns to Inglewood to face off to Belgium on June 21 and completes the group stage of Group G in Seattle, against Egypt on June 26.

“I am very proud to be part of my national team,” said Ezatolahi, whose career has taken him to play for clubs in Spain, Russia, England, Belgium, Denmark, Qatar and now in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

“We need to clear our minds and be fresh because our goal and our duty is to fight for our people, represent our country and show how good we are,” he said.

Ghorbani agreed, saying the team wants bring joy to Iranians.

“The best message I can give right now is that the Iranian team is showing what it means to be a team,” he said. “We are showing that we are one team under the same flag that can bring joy to our entire country and show the world the power of the players and the Iranian people.”