Iran footballers open up on how war with US has affected their World Cup preparations | OneFootball

Iran is preparing for the World Cup under unprecedented circumstances, as the nation heads to the tournament while at war with the primary host country, a situation unique in the competition’s history.

In exclusive interviews with The Associated Press during a team camp in Turkey, two members of Iran’s squad offered insight into how the ongoing geopolitical tensions are impacting their World Cup preparations.

"Well, to be honest, it’s not easy," stated Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder who will be making his third World Cup appearance for Iran. He acknowledged that his experience might ease the burden for some, but the broader context remains challenging.

"That’s going to be my third World Cup. So for me and some of the other players, it might be easier to manage these kind of things," he said in English during a training session on Wednesday.

open image in gallery

Saeid Ezatolahi admitted it has not been easy to focus on the World Cup (Reuters)

"But at the end... it is going to be difficult for us because at the same time, we are following the news in our country and the political things, of course, can affect the mind of the players and the people."

The Iranian team has spent over two weeks training in Turkey, primarily at the coastal resort of Antalya. Some players traveled to the capital, Ankara, to submit visa applications at the US embassy. Access for media to their World Cup preparations has been restricted, and players rarely engage with international journalists.

The squad is scheduled to travel to Mexico this weekend, having secured visas from the Mexican embassy in Ankara. Earlier visa processing difficulties led to a change in Iran's World Cup training base, moving it from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, located on Mexico's border with California.

Iran’s initial two matches will be played near Los Angeles, a city home to a significant Iranian community, many of whom oppose the current government.

"So for sure, we are expecting to have a lot fans during our games at the stadium," Ezatolahi remarked. "And this is going to be a lot pressure for us because the expectation is going be high. I just wish we can make them proud and show them that Iranians, they are prepared for every hard job in the world," he added.

Mohammad Ghorbani, 24, is set to experience his first World Cup with Iran.

"It’s true that we are facing special circumstances right now but we are football players and we have to play, practice, and prepare ourselves for the competitions we have ahead," the Abu Dhabi-based player told the AP in Farsi.

"On the other hand, we know that our people have been going through a lot of difficulties throughout the war, and we are going there for them, to get the best results for their joy and the joy of the people of our country."

open image in gallery

Some Iran stars will be playing in their first World Cup (AFP/Getty)

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

Iran will return to Inglewood to face Belgium on 21 June, concluding their Group G fixtures in Seattle against Egypt on 26 June.

"I’m really proud to be part of my national team," said Ezatolahi, whose extensive career has seen him play for clubs across Spain, Russia, England, Belgium, Denmark, Qatar, and currently Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

"We need to clear up our minds and be fresh because our target and our duty is to fight for our people, to represent our country and to show how good we are," he affirmed.

Ghorbani echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's desire to bring happiness 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 stated. "We are showing that we are one team under one flag that can bring joy to our whole country, and to show the power of Iranian players and Iranian people to the world."