21 hours ago
Taremi Grounded, Inter Without Key Forward
TDT | Manama
Inter Milan have been dealt an unexpected blow ahead of their Club World Cup campaign, with forward Mehdi Taremi stranded in Iran due to suspended air travel following regional conflict involving Israel.
The 32-year-old, who featured in Iran's recent 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over North Korea in Tehran, was unable to board a flight out of the country after Iranian authorities closed airspace in response to Israeli airstrikes on Friday. A club source confirmed to Reuters that the striker remains grounded, with Italian outlets reporting that he is set to miss the tournament altogether.
Timing Adds to Inter's Challenge
Taremi's absence is a significant setback for Inter, who are set to kick off their campaign on Tuesday against Mexican side Monterrey in Pasadena. The Nerazzurri will also face Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds and Argentina's River Plate in subsequent Group B matches hosted in Seattle.
Though not a regular starter this season, Taremi featured in 43 matches across all competitions for Inter, offering valuable depth and experience in attack. His unavailability narrows manager Simone Inzaghi's options as the Italian champions prepare to navigate a competitive group in the newly expanded 32-team format.
External Crisis, Internal Impact
The situation highlights the challenges global conflicts can pose for international sports events. Airspace restrictions over Iran, imposed for safety reasons, have halted outbound commercial flights and left several travelers stranded — including athletes like Taremi caught between national duty and club commitments.
There has been no official comment yet from Iran's football federation or Inter regarding whether an alternative travel arrangement might still be possible, but with the opening fixture just days away, the clock is ticking.
Club World Cup Underway
Inter's Group B fixtures form part of the wider Club World Cup schedule unfolding across U.S. cities throughout June. The competition features top teams from each confederation and acts as a high-profile prelude to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
For Inter, the aim remains progression beyond the group stage, but they'll now have to do it without one of their most experienced international campaigners.
