The Iranian national football team has been facing some unusual and challenging circumstances in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. Due to economic constraints, the players have been prohibited from swapping jerseys during matches, aiming to make the most of their limited kit supplies. However, this measure has led to further complications.
Players have reported that their equipment, particularly socks, has been shrinking after just one wash. Striker Karim Ansarifard expressed his frustration, revealing that size L socks would shrink to size S after washing. The issue has raised concerns among the players, who are already dealing with the difficulties of limited resources.
Carlos Queiroz, the coach of the Iranian team, pointed to the equipment supplier, German brand Uhlsport, as the root cause of the problem. According to Queiroz, the equipment was not designed to withstand the extreme humidity conditions the team has been playing in. He suggested that these equipment issues could have jeopardized the team’s World Cup campaign, adding a layer of frustration to the already challenging circumstances.
This situation is a rare occurrence for a national team preparing for such a prestigious tournament, highlighting the challenges faced by teams from countries with limited resources.
