WCup Iran Soccer

Iran is heading to the World Cup amid tensions with the main host nation, creating a unique situation in tournament history. Two Iranian players shared their struggles to stay focused on soccer. Saeid Ezatolahi, a 29-year-old midfielder, said it's challenging to manage the political situation while preparing for his third World Cup. The team has been training in Turkey and plans to move to Tijuana, Mexico, due to visa issues. Mohammad Ghorbani, attending his first World Cup, emphasized the importance of playing for their people. He said the team aims to bring joy and pride to Iranians.

ANTALYA, Turkey (AP) — Iran’s World Cup soccer team set off from Turkey for their training b…