{"id":12219,"date":"2026-06-04T18:02:03","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:02:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=12219"},"modified":"2026-06-04T18:02:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T18:02:03","slug":"ap-exclusive-iran-players-describe-how-the-war-affects-their-world-cup-preparations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/siliconvalleymovingpost.com\/?p=12219","title":{"rendered":"AP exclusive: Iran players describe how the war affects their World Cup preparations"},"content":{"rendered":"

By KHALIL HAMRA<\/strong><\/p>\n

ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) \u2014 Iran is heading to the World Cup while the country is at war with the primary host nation, a situation that is unique in the tournament\u2019s history.<\/p>

Read more Trio of star-studded World Cup opening ceremonies in US, Canada and Mexico aim to showcase unity<\/a><\/p>\n

In exclusive interviews with The Associated Press during a team camp in Turkey, two members of Iran\u2019s squad described how the conflict is affecting its World Cup preparations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, to be honest, it\u2019s not easy,\u201d said Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder who also played for Iran in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s 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,\u201d he said in English on the sidelines of a training session on Wednesday. \u201cBut at the end \u2026 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Iran team has spent more than two weeks in Turkey, mostly practicing at the coastal resort Antalya, and some went to the capital Ankara to submit visa applications at the U.S. embassy. Media access to their World Cup preparations has been limited, and the players rarely speak to international journalists.<\/p>\n

Iran will be based in Mexico during the World Cup<\/h4>\n

The team is set to travel to Mexico this weekend after receiving visas from the Mexican embassy in Ankara. The team said Thursday that the process of obtaining entry permits had been finalized for all members of the squad. Problems with visa processing meant Iran\u2019s World Cup training base was moved from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, on Mexico\u2019s border with California.<\/p>\n

Iran will play its first two games near Los Angeles, which has a large Iranian community, many of whom oppose the current government.<\/p>

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\u201cSo for sure, we are expecting to have a lot fans during our games at the stadium,\u201d Ezatolahi said. \u201cAnd 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Mohammad Ghorbani, 24, is going to his first World Cup for Iran.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d the Abu Dhabi-based player told the AP in Farsi.<\/p>

Read more California governor\u2019s race: Does Tom Steyer still have a path to the November runoff?<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cOn 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.\u201d<\/p>

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