Iran’s national football team is racing against time to prepare for the upcoming World Cup after months without competitive matches, following the suspension of the country’s domestic league amid regional conflict involving the United States and Israel.
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei said the squad faces significant fitness and sharpness challenges, with most players having been inactive for around seven weeks. The team is currently holding a training camp in Türkiye as part of its final preparations before the tournament.
Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League was suspended after attacks on the country on 28 February, with no resumption scheduled until after the World Cup, leaving many domestic-based players without regular match practice.
The coach said the limited preparation time would help improve the team’s condition but acknowledged that players are still below the required competitive level. Most of the 30-man squad play in Iran’s domestic league and have been restricted to training camps and a small number of friendlies.
Iran’s football federation has arranged a series of warm-up matches, including fixtures against The Gambia and Puerto Rico, as part of efforts to rebuild match fitness before the FIFA deadline for final squad selection.
The team is expected to finalise its 26-man World Cup squad in early June, shortly before the tournament begins.
At the World Cup, Iran will face New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt in its group matches across venues in the United States, as it attempts to regain competitive rhythm under difficult preparation conditions.
Coaching staff have said the short training camp in Türkiye will be crucial in restoring physical readiness and tactical cohesion, although they acknowledge that preparation has been disrupted by the prolonged league suspension and limited international fixtures.
The situation highlights broader challenges facing teams in conflict-affected regions, where political instability and security concerns can directly impact sporting development and international competition readiness.
