Azmoun out as Iran’s footballers train in Turkiye under tight media control
Iran will play two friendly matches in Turkiye as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Iran will play two friendly matches in Turkiye as they prepare for the FIFA World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

![France's Kylian Mbappe and Brazil's Vinicius Junior [AP Photo]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AP25156755199177-1-1-1774516474.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

![New Zealand midfielder Ryan Thomas says Iran deserve their spot at ‌World Cup 2026 [File: Sebastian Frej/Getty Images]](/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/GettyImages-2239583198-1774412714.jpg?resize=770%2C513&quality=80)

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The 2026 World Cup matches will be played as per schedule announced last year, the football organisation says.
The national football federation wants to relocate its group matches to Mexico due to the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran.
Asian Football Confederation says it hasn’t received any notification of Iran pulling out of upcoming World Cup.
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