Squad returns home after unrest in Iran forces early end to Mashhad camp.
Herat | By Farzana Momand
Afghanistan’s national futsal team has officially begun its training camp in Herat after recent security unrest and instability in Iran forced the early suspension of its preparations in Mashhad.
The team had been holding a training camp in Iran as part of its build-up programme, but worsening conditions and uncertainty led officials to relocate the squad back to Afghanistan, leaving the Mashhad camp unfinished.
Team representatives said the move was made to ensure player safety and allow training activities to continue without disruption. Following the return, the national squad started training sessions in Herat, marking the first time the team has opened a preparatory camp in the city.
Officials added that the Herat camp is part of a revised preparation plan and will be followed by further training phases and friendly matches as the team continues its build-up for upcoming international competitions.
Afghanistan’s futsal programme has increasingly relied on flexible planning in response to regional security challenges, with domestic camps playing a growing role in maintaining continuity and match readiness.