FIFA World Cup 2026: Iranian players describe how war is affecting their preparations

Iran is heading to the World Cup while at war with the main host country, a situation unique in the history of the tournament.

In exclusive interviews with The Associated Press During a team camp in Turkey, two members of the Iranian squad described how the conflict is affecting preparations for the World Cup.

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

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«That will be my third World Cup. So for me and some other players it might be easier to arrange these kinds of things,» he said in English on the sidelines of a training session. “But in the end it will be difficult for us because at the same time we follow the news in our country and of course the political things can affect the minds of the players and the people.”

The Iranian team spent more than two weeks in Turkey, mainly in the coastal city of Antalya, and some went to the capital Ankara to submit visa applications at the US embassy. Media access to their World Cup preparations is limited and the players rarely speak to international journalists.

The team will travel to Mexico this weekend after receiving visas from the Mexican Embassy in Ankara. The team said on Thursday that the process of obtaining entry permits for all members of the squad had been completed. Visa processing problems caused Iran’s training base for the World Cup to be moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, on Mexico’s border with California.

Iran will play its first two matches near Los Angeles, home to a large Iranian community, many of whom oppose the current government.

“So we definitely expect a lot of fans in the stadium during our matches,” Ezatolahi said. «And this will be a big pressure for us because expectations are high. I wish we can make them proud and show them that Iranians are prepared for any tough job in the world,» he said.

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Mohammad Ghorbani, 24, is heading to his first World Cup for Iran.

«It is true that we are currently facing special circumstances, but we are footballers and we have to play, practice and prepare for the competitions ahead,» the Abu Dhabi player told the newspaper. AP in Farsi.

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

The US and Israel launched their war against Iran on February 28, killing its supreme leader and other top officials. Iran responded with attacks on Israel, American troops and the Arab Gulf states. The country has also maintained a stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow estuary of the Persian Gulf, endangering global energy supplies.

Despite a nominal ceasefire in place, Iran and the US have yet to negotiate a definitive end to the war and attacks in the region continue.

The Iranian team does not have to enter the United States until June 14, a day before the first match against New Zealand at the Los Angeles Rams Stadium in Inglewood.

Iran returns to Inglewood to face Belgium on June 21 and completes Group G in Seattle against Egypt on June 26.

“I am really 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 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

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

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

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

Published on June 4, 2026