Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi may be sidelined from the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States, after being stranded in Iran due to the country’s airspace closure amid escalating military tensions with Israel.
Taremi, 32, was set to join his new club in Los Angeles but is now expected to miss at least the opening match—if not the entire tournament—according to media reports from Italy and the U.S. The Iranian forward had recently signed a three-year contract with Inter and was scheduled to debut in their opening fixture against Mexico’s Monterrey FC at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reported Saturday that “the Iranian striker will not join the Nerazzurri, neither for the first match nor for the others.” Inter Milan officials have reportedly reached out to Iranian authorities in Italy to seek assistance, while Taremi remains in a secure location in Tehran.
The striker had just captained Iran to a 1–0 win over North Korea in an AFC World Cup qualifier on June 10, scoring the decisive goal. He was subsequently honored with the inaugural Toopa Award, Iran’s Golden Ball equivalent.
However, travel plans were halted following Israeli airstrikes on Iran early Friday, prompting retaliatory actions and a full closure of Iranian airspace. The ongoing conflict has left Taremi unable to depart for the U.S.
Inter, who also face Argentina’s River Plate and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in Group E, view Taremi as a critical addition to their squad. Since joining the Italian champions, he has made 43 appearances and scored three goals.
The situation underscores how geopolitical tensions can disrupt even global sporting events, leaving clubs like Inter and players like Taremi caught in the crossfire of international conflict.
Source: Al Jazeera
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
