Iran will play their final World Cup warm-up behind closed doors in Turkiye on Thursday before departing for their tournament base in Mexico on Saturday, the Iranian FA (FFIRI) said on Wednesday.
Although it was one of the first teams to qualify, Iran’s participation in the World Cup has been in doubt since the US and Israel launched air strikes on the Islamic Republic in late February. The squad has played three friendlies in two training camps in Antalya since the start of the war — losing to Nigeria and beating Costa Rica and Gambia — and on Thursday will face Mali in the Turkish sea resort.
“Considering the importance of the Iranian national football team’s friendly match against Mali, and in line with the tactical objectives of Iran’s head coach, tomorrow’s match against Mali will be held behind closed doors and without media attendance,” FFIRI said in a statement.
