Iran’s Karim Ansarifard said “what Nike did to us was very wrong” following his team’s 1-0 win against Morocco to open the World
Iran became the first visiting team to arrive in Russia ahead of the 2018 World Cup as they touched down in Moscow.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has called on Nike to apologise to his team after the U.S. sportswear firm said it could not supply the players with football boots for the World Cup because of sanctions.
“U.S. sanctions mean that, as a U.S. company, Nike cannot supply shoes to players in the Iranian national team at this time,” a Nike statement had said.
Queiroz, whose side face Morocco in their Group B opener on Friday, said it was “unnecessary” and asked FIFA to help.
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Iran became the first visiting team to arrive in Russia ahead of the 2018 World Cup as they touched down in Moscow.
With just one World Cup group stage win to their name, Iran will have their work cut out for them in a challenging Group B.
Iran became the first team to arrive in Russia for the World Cup on Tuesday, nine days before the opening match of the June 14 to July 15 tournament.
Iran have been drawn in Group B alongside former World Cup winners Spain, reigning European champions Portugal and Morocco.
“Being in Russia is a dream come true for Iranian football,” Iran manager Carlos Queiroz said. “We have achieved this through hard work and sacrifices, which only heightens how honoured and privileged we feel to be here.
Iran…
The ESPN FC crew preview Saudi’s Arabia chances of advancing out of their group for the second time in their World Cup history.
Four of Asia’s five representatives started the final phase of preparations for the 2018 World Cup this week with friendlies against a variety of opponents.
ESPNFC looks at the big lessons that emerged from the respective games.
Saudi Arabia may not need a striker
On the face of it, the lowest-ranked team in the tournament (67) have a mountain to climb at their first World Cup since 2006 and Group A games against hosts Russia, Uruguay and Egypt.
Saudi Arabia can however take plenty of positives…
The ESPN FC panel break down Group B where they feel Portugal and Spain are favourites over Morocco and Iran.
TEHRAN, Iran — Jalal Hosseini and Vouria Ghafouri have both been left off Iran’s provisional 24-man squad for the World Cup.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz did not say why Hosseini, a defender for domestic champions Persepolis, and Ghafouri, a Esteghlal FC right-back, were not included.
There was space for midfielders Masoud Shojaei and Ehsan Hajsafi, however. Both played with Greek club Panionios against Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in August 2017. Iran does not recognize Israel and its supreme…
Iran manager Carlos Queiroz has cut his World Cup roster down to 24 players from 35.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz has reduced his 35-man provisional 2018 World Cup squad to 24, leaving out veteran defender Seyed Jalal Hosseini in a surprise move.
H…
In their four World Cup appearances, Iran have never made it out of the group stages. Will they finally find form in Russia?
Ian Darke leads the ESPN panel in predicting the 2018 World Cup winner with names of Germany, Brazil, France an…
Can Australia make an impact at Russia 2018 under new coach Bert van Marwijk? Here’s a look at how the Socceroos shape up.
The ESPN panel in London are skeptical of Australia ahead of the World Cup with Bert van Marwijk’s defensive mindset and an aging squad.
Ian Darke leads the ESPN panel in predicting the 2018 World Cup winner with names of Germany, Brazil, France and England among the list.
Three of Asia’s five 2018 World Cup representatives chose to name preliminary squads on or before the May 14 deadline.
All three nations were forced to make tough decisions, with newly appointed coaches Bert van Marwijk and Shin Tae-yong particularly determined to make their mark on their respective squads.
Here are the three surprise inclusions in each of the early lists:
Australia: Daniel Arzani
Van Marwijk went down the unusual route of naming two preliminary squads. A week after Australia’s…