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Iran train under strict media controls in Turkey ahead of World Cup friendlies
Iran’s men’s national football team has begun preparations in southern Turkey for upcoming World Cup warm up matches, holding tightly controlled training sessions as regional tensions continue to cast a shadow over the squad.
The team trained on Wednesday in Belek, a resort town near the Mediterranean city of Antalya, where access for journalists was heavily restricted. Officials said the move was aimed at limiting distractions before fixtures described as vital to the side’s World Cup build up.
Iran’s football federation is also in discussions with global governing body FIFA about relocating its World Cup matches to Mexico instead of the US due to safety concerns, federation president Mehdi Taj said last week.
Team officials have kept a deliberately low public profile as preparations intensify, amid expectations of heightened political and media attention at the tournament.
During the Belek session, players and coaching staff did not grant interviews, with a team media representative stating that the squad remained fully focused on its immediate competitive schedule.
Iran are set to play two friendlies in Antalya, facing Nigeria on Friday and Costa Rica on Tuesday. The matches were originally scheduled to take place in Jordan but were moved to Turkey following the outbreak of the Iran war.
Players appeared relaxed during training in warm, sunny conditions, occasionally chatting and joking with staff.
Forward Mehdi Taremi was among those present after drawing attention recently for swapping shirts with an Israeli opponent while playing club football for Olympiacos in Greece.
Striker Sardar Azmoun was left out of the squad after posting an Instagram photograph showing him meeting Dubai’s ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Iranian media reported that Azmoun, who has scored 57 goals in 91 international appearances, had been expelled from the national team over what authorities viewed as an act of disloyalty.
