Iran’s men’s team trained in southern Turkey on Wednesday as it prepares for two upcoming friendlies ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where it is likely to attract more attention against the backdrop of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
The team held a training session in Belek, a resort town near the Mediterranean city of Antalya, with strictly limited access to the media as officials said they wanted to avoid distractions ahead of matches described as crucial to their World Cup preparations cwhd.
IRAN’S FIFA WORLD CUP WARM-UP SCHEDULE:
| Date | Agreement | Kickoff time | Location |
| March 27 | Iran vs Nigeria | 4:00 PM local time (4:30 PM IRST) | Corendon Airlines Park, Antalya |
| March 31 | Iran vs Costa Rica | 4:00 PM local time (4:30 PM IRST) | Corendon Airlines Park, Antalya |
Iran’s football federation is in talks with global governing body FIFA about moving its World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to concerns over player safety, federation president Mehdi Taj said last week.
In Belek, no interviews with players or coaches were available, and a team media representative said the squad was fully focused on the immediate competition schedule.
The players appeared relaxed during the session in sunny conditions, with staff and players chatting and joking occasionally.
Among those present was striker Mehdi Taremi, who has been in the spotlight in recent days after swapping shirts with an Israeli opponent while playing for his club Olympiacos in Greece.
(with input from Reuters)
Published on March 26, 2026
