Iran squad races against time for World Cup readinessWorld Cup readiness
Iran’s national football team is trying to regain match fitness before the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a long suspension of the domestic league left many players without competitive games.
Coach Amir Ghalenoei said the team’s training camp in Turkiye is an important part of preparation as Iran gets ready for matches in Los Angeles, a situation that matters because the squad is balancing sport with wider political turmoil at home.
Iranian team perspective
Amir Ghalenoei says the squad is behind schedule because many domestic players have gone weeks without league football. He sees the Turkiye camp as essential to restoring rhythm and sharpening the team before the tournament.
Al Jazeera framing
The team’s preparations are being shaped by the wider backdrop of the US-Iran-Israel war, which adds pressure and distraction beyond ordinary sporting concerns. Iran’s World Cup schedule in the United States makes readiness both a sporting and political issue.
- Iran first reached the World Cup in 1978 and has become a regular presence in recent decades.
- Turkey is one of the world’s most common training bases for football teams outside their home countries.
- Los Angeles has hosted major global sporting events before, including the 1984 Olympics.
US-Iran Ceasefire War
The United States launched military strikes against Iran on June 26, 2026, in response to a drone attack on a commercial cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, calling it a "foolish violation" of the 60-day ceasefire agreement signed just days earlier[2][4][14].
26 June, 09:35 PM
US launches strikes against Iran following commercial ship attack26 June, 04:47 PM
Trump calls Iran drone attack on cargo ship a ceasefire violation
