Iran squad trains in Turkiye as World Cup participation remains unclear
The Iran national football team has been observed conducting training sessions in Turkiye, with the footage published on 24 May 2026. The team is preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to be hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Exclusive footage obtained by Al Jazeera has captured the Iran national football team conducting training sessions in Turkiye. The video, published on 24 May 2026, shows the squad preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup while facing ongoing uncertainty regarding their ability to participate in the tournament.
The footage confirms that the team is utilising Turkiye as a base for their preparations. Turkiye is not a host nation for the 2026 World Cup, with the tournament instead being hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The choice of location suggests the team is using the country for training camps or transit purposes ahead of the North American event.
Al Jazeera’s reporting highlights that the training is taking place amidst significant ambiguity surrounding the team’s eligibility. The source material does not specify the exact nature of the uncertainty, nor does it confirm whether the team has been officially disqualified, suspended, or is navigating other administrative hurdles.
The release of the footage on 24 May 2026 provides the first visual confirmation of the team’s activities in Turkiye. The report focuses on the logistical and preparatory aspects of the squad’s movements, noting their presence in the country as they gear up for the global competition.
While the visual evidence confirms the team’s presence and training activities, the broader context of their participation status remains undefined in the available reporting. The footage serves as a record of the team’s preparation efforts despite the unresolved questions regarding their inclusion in the 2026 World Cup lineup.
