Iran, Spain in talks over pre-World Cup friendly: Report
Iran and Spain are closing in on an agreement to go head-to-head in a friendly game in June, Varzesh3 reported on Friday.
The game – set to be played in Spain on June 4 – would be part of both teams’ preparations for next summer’s FIFA World Cup finals, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11.
Iran will leave Spain for the United States after the game, with Team Melli’s final friendly before the World Cup set to be staged behind closed doors, Varzesh3 added.
Iran and Spain squared off at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where the European powerhouse claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory, courtesy of Ramin Rezaeian’s own goal in the second half.
Team Melli has been drawn in Group G of the global showpiece alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.
Iran will kick off its World Cup campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15, before facing European heavyweight Belgium at the same venue six days later.
The team will then travel to Seattle, Washington, to face Egypt in its final group-stage match at Lumen Field on June 26.
With eight third-placed teams across the 12 groups advancing to the round of 32, Iran will fancy its chances of securing a first-ever knockout-stage berth at the seventh attempt.
Mahdi Taj, the chairman of the Iranian Football Federation, said in December that Portugal would likely be Iran’s final friendly opponent before the World Cup.