WC22 TM's preparation and friendlies

[allan123]

Canada game would be September. Canada has Concacaf nations league in June.
I don’t think the game will happen. Too much political garbage.

Concacaf League Nations is a Joke, many Concacaf nations use b team in these games and use A team for friendly games.

[armen]

Canada game would be September. Canada has Concacaf nations league in June.

I don’t think the game will happen. Too much political garbage.

FIFA has provided a 2 week window for June national team matches, and Canada plays 2 Nations League matches during only the second week of that window. This means Canada can play a friendly match during the first week of June's FIFA window, but the friendly match would have to take place in Canada, as travel considerations would make it too difficult for them to realize their Nations League commitments; in fact, Canadian media reports confirm that the Canadian team is looking to set up a friendly match for June in Canada before its Nations League matches. For September (which is only a 1 week window), media reports indicate the Canadian team will seek a camp in Europe for friendlies.

However, there is a second problem: Iran and Canada have no diplomatic relations, and relations between the 2 countries recently worsened after IR shot down that Ukrainian airliner with all those Iranian-Canadians a couple of years ago. In that context, how is TM going to get all the necessary visas to set up a camp in Canada for June?

[Nokhodi]

FIFA has provided a 2 week window for June national team matches, and Canada plays 2 Nations League matches during only the second week of that window. This means Canada can play a friendly match during the first week of June's FIFA window, but the friendly match would have to take place in Canada, as travel considerations would make it too difficult for them to realize their Nations League commitments; in fact, Canadian media reports confirm that the Canadian team is looking to set up a friendly match for June in Canada before its Nations League matches. For September (which is only a 1 week window), media reports indicate the Canadian team will seek a camp in Europe for friendlies.

However, there is a second problem: Iran and Canada have no diplomatic relations, and relations between the 2 countries recently worsened after IR shot down that Ukrainian airliner with all those Iranian-Canadians a couple of years ago. In that context, how is TM going to get all the necessary visas to set up a camp in Canada for June?

This is very good research. Thank you! I wish IFF had a couple of people like you!
I think based on what you have here the friendly is very unlikely.
Iran is going to be camping in Qatar. TM would have to play Canada at the early part of the camp which considering the travel logistics it would be quite difficult.

As for the September window - if Canada is going to Europe for a camp, then playing Iran is even more unlikely - however it would avoid alot of the Canada visa issues!

The political issue I believe is huge. IR doesn't want a game in Toronto (or Vancouver or wherever) with a bunch of protests outside of it; and Canada probably doesn't want to show itself as friendly towards Iran even in a sporting sense.

Having said all that, it's a win-win for both teams in terms of football.
Canada gets a team they think plays like Morocco (even though we don't) - and Iran plays a strong physical team like Canada (much like the US).

[Nokhodi]

Concacaf League Nations is a Joke, many Concacaf nations use b team in these games and use A team for friendly games.

100 % agree, but I think they are still obligated to send a very strong team.

[Farzadfarhangni]

I know FIFA days are May 30th - June 14th but one can play games outside of FIFA days. It is summer time and most leagues are closed and players don't need to return to their clubs until early July at the earliest. Maybe 2 weeks in Qatar and a week or two in Canada. Hopefully, that gives the players a week or two of rest before their club preseason begins. One can dream.

[allan123]

100 % agree, but I think they are still obligated to send a very strong team.

No, the teams are not obligate to send A Team.

[Rooyintan]

FIFA requires 3 days between matches.

So Canada's availability would be any FIFA days before June 10, so June 2/3/4 or June 5/6/7.

Ecuador's availability would be any FIFA days after June 5.
So June 8/9/10/11/12/13/14.

Sly Saudi Arabia have setup two friendlies with Venezuela and Colombia on June 5 and June 9 respectively. It seems very unlikely either of them would want to fly to Canada from Europe after their matches.

Uruguay has two friendlies in USA, however they are returning to Uruguay to host a match versus Jamaica.
Paraguay has a friendly in Japan on June 2, again I doubt if they would be willing to fly to Canada for a friendly versus TM.

So only options would be Bolivia or Chile, for a third friendly.

I truly hope TM goes to Canada for friendly series, it will be a good preparation. 4 matches would be great, however according to media, it seems that Skocic only wants 3 matches for June.

So how would it look for TM if it goes ahead:
Canada/Bolivia/Chile vs Iran on June 2/3/4
Canada/Bolivia/Chile vs Iran on June 5/6/7
Ecuador vs Iran June 8/9/10/11/12/13/14

This would be much better than playing friendly matches in
Qatar:

Qatar vs Iran on June 2/3/4/5
Costa Rica/Peru/NZ vs Iran on June 9

[Rooyintan]

FIFA requires 3 days between matches.
So Canada's availability would be any FIFA days before June 10, so June 2/3/4 or June 5/6/7.
Ecuador's availability would be any FIFA days after June 5.
So June 8/9/10/11/12/13/14.
Sly Saudi Arabia have setup two friendlies with Venezuela and Colombia on June 5 and June 9 respectively. It seems very unlikely either of them would want to fly to Canada from Europe after their matches.
Uruguay has two friendlies in USA, however they are returning to Uruguay to host a match versus Jamaica.
Paraguay has a friendly in Japan on June 2, again I doubt if they would be willing to fly to Canada for a friendly versus TM.
So only options would be Bolivia or Chile, for a third friendly.
I truly hope TM goes to Canada for friendly series, it will be a good preparation. 4 matches would be great, however according to media, it seems that Skocic only wants 3 matches for June.
So how would it look for TM if it goes ahead:
Canada/Bolivia/Chile vs Iran on June 2/3/4
Canada/Bolivia/Chile vs Iran on June 5/6/7
Ecuador vs Iran June 8/9/10/11/12/13/14
This would be much better than playing friendly matches in
Qatar:
Qatar vs Iran on June 2/3/4/5
Costa Rica/Peru/NZ vs Iran on June 9

According to Eurosport International Friendlies 2022, Ecuador will either play Tunisia on June 11 or Mali on June 12 perhaps in USA. So June 14 would be the more likely date if they arrange friendly with TM.

[Rooyintan]

FIFA requires 3 days between matches.
So Canada's availability would be any FIFA days before June 10, so June 2/3/4 or June 5/6/7.
Ecuador's availability would be any FIFA days after June 5.
So June 8/9/10/11/12/13/14.
Sly Saudi Arabia have setup two friendlies with Venezuela and Colombia on June 5 and June 9 respectively. It seems very unlikely either of them would want to fly to Canada from Europe after their matches.
Uruguay has two friendlies in USA, however they are returning to Uruguay to host a match versus Jamaica.
Paraguay has a friendly in Japan on June 2, again I doubt if they would be willing to fly to Canada for a friendly versus TM.
So only options would be Bolivia or Chile, for a third friendly.
I truly hope TM goes to Canada for friendly series, it will be a good preparation. 4 matches would be great, however according to media, it seems that Skocic only wants 3 matches for June.
So how would it look for TM if it goes ahead:
Canada/Bolivia/Chile vs Iran on June 2/3/4
Canada/Bolivia/Chile vs Iran on June 5/6/7
Ecuador vs Iran June 8/9/10/11/12/13/14
This would be much better than playing friendly matches in
Qatar:
Qatar vs Iran on June 2/3/4/5
Costa Rica/Peru/NZ vs Iran on June 9

Chile is going to Korea, so we can rule out Chile.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220504004800315

Bolivia our only hope for a third friendly. Unless one of the Europeans (Albania, Iceland or Estonia), or any available African team.

[Keshwardoost]

Chile is going to Korea, so we can rule out Chile.
https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220504004800315

Bolivia our only hope for a third friendly. Unless one of the Europeans (Albania, Iceland or Estonia), or any available African team.

bolivia could be interesting but out of the european teams, id prefer we play uzbekistan then
remember how korea trashed iceland before the last round of qualifiers, these teams are so poor.

[Keshwardoost]

https://youtu.be/SFeitj1WOG4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9nYYf9E54c

[Keshwardoost]

PLDC - Iran’s National Football Team may travel to Canada in the upcoming FIFA days as the North American seems to be one of the best choices of the Iranian Federation.

After the 2022 World Cup draw which put Iran along with the US, England, and the winner of the European playoff in Group B, both experts and players have stressed the need to prepare the team for the major event.

During the past two months, different reports emerged that pointed to the name of several teams for friendly matches.

According to the latest report, coach Dragan Skocic is planning a two-week trip to Canada to play several teams.

Canada seems to be an ideal rival for a friendly match as it pays a good fee to the Iranian federation as well.

The camp in Canada will probably be realized in early June but the rivals for friendly matches have not been finalized yet.

Skocic believes that due to the long-distance and probable issues related to acquiring visa, the team should at least hold two or three matches there.

A large number of Iranians living in Canada will be a positive point for Team Melli as they will not feel playing outside home.

Ecuador and Cameroon are among the long list of teams that Iran may take on in Canada other than the host nation.

An official with the Iranian federation said that negotiations are underway with 40 countries for planning the six upcoming FIFA days and as said before, Canada is more suitable and serious compared to others.
https://www.persianleague.com/16345-...-american-tour

[snowleopard]

PLDC - Iran’s National Football Team may travel to Canada in the upcoming FIFA days as the North American seems to be one of the best choices of the Iranian Federation.

After the 2022 World Cup draw which put Iran along with the US, England, and the winner of the European playoff in Group B, both experts and players have stressed the need to prepare the team for the major event.

During the past two months, different reports emerged that pointed to the name of several teams for friendly matches.

According to the latest report, coach Dragan Skocic is planning a two-week trip to Canada to play several teams.

Canada seems to be an ideal rival for a friendly match as it pays a good fee to the Iranian federation as well.

The camp in Canada will probably be realized in early June but the rivals for friendly matches have not been finalized yet.

Skocic believes that due to the long-distance and probable issues related to acquiring visa, the team should at least hold two or three matches there.

A large number of Iranians living in Canada will be a positive point for Team Melli as they will not feel playing outside home.

Ecuador and Cameroon are among the long list of teams that Iran may take on in Canada other than the host nation.

An official with the Iranian federation said that negotiations are underway with 40 countries for planning the six upcoming FIFA days and as said before, Canada is more suitable and serious compared to others.
https://www.persianleague.com/16345-...-american-tour

If it happens, a dream come true.

[kian_khosh]

booking my flight to canada as soon as the announcement is set!

[ABalls]

Can't wait! Hopefully something in eastern Canada. Being in the US, that's an easy trip for me.