A 3-1 win over Gambia, training in Antalya, a relocation from Arizona to Mexico, and special security measures

As reported by CCTV+, Iran’s national football team continues its World Cup preparations in Turkey, holding training sessions and friendly matches despite visa uncertainty and tensions between Iran and the United States.

On Friday in Antalya, the team secured an important 3-1 victory over Gambia in a friendly, while waiting for clarity on travel arrangements for the tournament.

As preparations intensify, Iran still faces uncertainty over visas. Following FIFA’s recommendation, the team’s pre-tournament training camp was recently moved from the US state of Arizona to Tijuana, Mexico.

Iranian football officials said the political situation is creating problems, but the players remain focused on preparing for the tournament itself.

Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, First Vice President of the Football Federation of Iran, said: “Our players are professionals, and their duty is to think about training and such matters. We will not allow our players to be distracted by these issues and noise. Their attention must be focused solely on football.” Turkey, which borders Iran, has taken special measures to ensure the team’s safety, as authorities strive to let the players focus on football amid the ongoing conflict back home.

Dogukan Onkur, owner of Fanatic Tour, a football training agency in Antalya, noted: “Regardless of whether it is our provincial police department or private security companies, very high security measures have been taken both at the match and at the hotel where they are staying. Moreover, since this is a sensitive issue, everyone is being cautious. We are also trying to protect their psychological well-being. They are going through difficult times.” On the pitch, however, the focus remains on football. On Friday, Iran came from behind to beat Gambia 3-1. Sam Mehdi Zadeh, an Iranian-Canadian sports organizer involved in arranging the match, said the game was valuable preparation for both teams.

“The Iranians came here two weeks ago and have been training here, so they are gradually getting used to the weather, the atmosphere and everything else. So for them, it was also a great game. We may have another game next week. That will be before heading to Mexico for the training camp,” he said.

Iran’s players do not know if they will be allowed into the United States. Their training camp was moved from Arizona to Mexico. Visas are in question.

But they take the field and win 3-1. They do not get distracted. They do not complain. They train in Antalya under Turkish guard. Politics rages outside the stadium. Inside, there is only football. The question is not how many goals Iran will score at the World Cup. The question is how long sport can remain outside politics. So far, it can. The players breathe football. And that, perhaps, is the only thing saving them right now. From chaos. From uncertainty. From the war raging behind their backs.