TEHRAN – Iran national football team head coach Carlos Queiroz says the cruel sanctions against Iran have disrupted Team Melli’s preparation for the 2018 World Cup.

Iran were scheduled to play Greece and Kosovo football teams in Turkey’s training camp but the matches were canceled and Queiros says Iran’s World Cup preparations were hit by the cancellation of these friendly matches.

Iran have been handed a tough Group B assignment along with Morocco, Spain and Portugal.

Team Melli will start the campaign with a match against Morocco on June 15 and Queiroz is concerned about a lack of preparation.

“There is a lot of unfair criticism of our preparation and many people say why we do not play Italy while they know that we have not enough resources to arrange these kinds of friendlies. It’s really shameful,” Queiroz told reporters ahead of Iran’s training camp on Saturday.

“They know that Iran is facing cruel sanctions; however, we will not take it into consideration and keep moving forward with strong leadership. I support my players and I know that they will do their best to make history at the 2018 World Cup,” the Portuguese added.

“I am sure we will silence our critics with our best performance in the 2018 World Cup,” Queiroz said.

Asked him about the final World Cup list, Queiroz said, “We are training with 24 players in Turkey but nobody knows about the final list. I will announce the final squad within the next two days.”