Iran will play their final World Cup warm-up behind closed doors in Turkiye tomorrow before departing for their tournament base in Mexico on Saturday, Reuters reports, citing the Iranian FA (FFIRI).
The squad have played three friendlies in two training camps in Antalya since the start of the war and they 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.
The FFIRI persuaded FIFA to allow the team to swap its tournament base from Tucson, Arizona, to Tijuana, Mexico, and from there they will commute across the border to their first two group games against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles.
Their third and final Group G game against Egypt is in Seattle.
