June 6 – Iran were the first team to arrive in Russia ahead of the 2018 World Cup, which kicks off next week. The Iranians have been paired in group B with Spain, Portugal and Morocco, but their preparations have been blighted by logistical problems.
Team Melli touched down at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport, one of three international gateways of the Russian capital, on Tuesday evening.
“Being in Russia is a dream come true for Iranian football,” commented Iran’s coach Carlos Queiroz. “We have achieved this dream through lots of hard work and sacrifices, which only heightens how honoured and privileged we feel to be here. The Iranian national team will relish rubbing shoulders with the best teams in the world and being part of this fantastic World Cup family.”
“We arrive raring to keep this dream going for as long as possible and we look forward to playing our part in making this the best World Cup ever. We would like to send our greetings to all the other teams and their fans, particularly the people of Russia, who will be hosting the competition.”
The Iranians will be based at the Lokomotiv Bakovka Training Center in the Moscow region during the tournament. Queiroz, as he did in Brazil at the last World Cup, handpicked the complex to ensure the best possible training facilities for his team in the last days leading up to the tournament, but his team, given Iran’s international isolation, struggled to find adequate sparring partners.
In the run-up to the World Cup, Syria, Greece and Kosovo all cancelled friendlies against Iran. Sierra Leone and Uzbekistan sent second string teams.
Iran, Asia’s top-ranked team, will open their World Cup on June 15 against Morocco in St Petersburg. Queiroz and his team were the first team from Asia to qualify for Russia 2018. Team Melli will be participating for the fifth time in a World Cup. They have never progressed to the knockout stages.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714048905labto1714048905ofdlr1714048905owedi1714048905sni@i1714048905tnuk.1714048905ardni1714048905mas1714048905