Month: August 2024

Ghalenoei invites 26 players for Kyrgyzstan and UAE matches.

With 6 days to go, Amir Ghalenoei finally announced the squad that will face Kyrgyzstan at home and UAE away in the third-round qualifier matches of FIFA World Cup 2026.

The first two matches are significant for Team Melli as a good result will mean they will lead the group from the onset while putting pressure on the two contenders in the group, Qatar and Uzbekistan.

Iran and Uzbekistan have already met in the earlier qualifying stage with neither being able to defeat the other.

Iran is in Group E of the third round 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers along with Uzbekistan, Qatar, Korea Rep, Kyrgyzstan and UAE. The names of the players invited to the squad for the first two matches of the group were announced by head coach Amir Ghalenoei as follows:

Goalkeepers:

Alireza Beiranvand, Payam Niazmand, Hossein Hosseini, Arsha Shakouri

Defenders:

Shoja Khalilzadeh, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Amin Hizbavi, Ali Nemati, Saleh Hardani, Milad Mohammadi, Abolfazl Jalali, Arya Yousefi

Midfielders:

Saeid Ezatollahi, Omid Nourafkan, Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Karimi, Mohammad Ghorbani, Allhayar Sayyadmanesh, Ali Gholizadeh, Mehdi Torabi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Forwards:

Mehdi Taremi, Javad Aghaeipour, Sardar Azmoun, Shariyar Moghanlou, Mehdi Ghaeydi

Fooladshahr, is the venue for the next Team Melli match.

The Iranian Football Federation has announced that the match between Iran and Kyrgyzstan will be held at Foladshahr Stadium in Esfahan , which is equipped with VAR.

Iran’s national will face Kyrgyzstan in the third qualifying round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday, September 5th. This match was supposed to be held at Azadi Stadium, which was moved to Naghshe Jahan Stadium in Isfahan due to the renovation of Azadi. The match between Sepahan and Shabab Al-Ahli was held in Naghshe Jahan highlighted the disastrous status of the pitch and raised many objections specifically from Team Melli’s coach.

The Stadium Standardization Headquarters, subsequently declared that due to the damage to the grass of Naghshe Jahan Stadium, the stadium in Esfahan cannot host this World Cup qualifier match and an alternative venue has to be nominated. Dawood Rafati, head of stadium standardization headquarters, went to Isfahan today and visited Folad Shahr Stadium. After the investigations, it was announced that the memorandum of understanding will be signed by tonight and the national team will face Kyrgyzstan at Foulad Shahr Stadium. The Football Federation will send the next VAR machine after Arak to Isfahan so that this game will be played with the help of a Video-Assisted Referee.

 Fooladshar is the home stadium of Zob Ahan and was opened in 1998. The stadium is listed as having a capacity of 15,000. its remote location away from Esfahan city and small capacity is not ideal venue of a match of this level for Team Melli. FooladShahr is about 45 km from Esfahan city center.

Mehdi Taj “Naghshe Jahan Stadium was a disgrace”

The Naghshe Jahan Stadium, located in Isfahan, has recently come under scrutiny due to its terrible turf conditions. During a match between Sepahan and Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai in the preliminary rounds of the AFC Elite League, the stadium’s shortcomings were evident and televised for the rest of the region. The President of the Iran Football Federation, Mehdi Taj, expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the need for urgent improvements.

Both Taj and Amir Ghalenoei, the head coach of Team Melli (the Iranian national football team), attended the match. Their observations highlighted serious concerns about the pitch quality. Naghshe Jahan Stadium is slated to host Team Melli’s match against Kyrgyzstan on September 5th, and the current conditions are far from acceptable.

Urgent Measures Needed

In a meeting of the working group for stadium standardization, Taj emphasized the urgency of addressing the stadium’s deficiencies. He acknowledged that Esteghlal and Persepolis clubs who do not own stadiums themselves, are responsible for introducing suitable stadiums. Both teams face challenges. Taj suggested that the football federation, akin to the AFC, should verify and approve stadiums after thorough assessments. Howevr, in Tehran in particular, there is a lack of suitable stadiums.

Collaborative Efforts

Taj called for collective efforts from all stakeholders, including government bodies. While praising the progress made so far in Azadi Stadium renovation works, he stressed that certain tasks should have been completed earlier. Azadi Stadium, the main venue, is currently undergoing essential renovations. Taj urged patience in properly completing the work, emphasizing the importance of not rushing to ensure long-term benefits and a quality finish.

Alternatives Considered

Regarding Naghshe Jahan Stadium’s suitability for hosting national team matches, Taj expressed reservations. The turf conditions pose serious problems, especially if opponents adopt a defensive strategy. The search for an alternative venue continues. Fortunately, stadiums like Azadi, Golgohar Sirjan, and Mes Rafsanjan are meeting expectations, however, each has some challenges too.

Challenges and Solutions

Kerman, unfortunately, lacks sufficient five-star hotels. Despite this, Taj remains optimistic. The Aluminum Arak Stadium is a viable option, and preparations are underway. However, Takhti Stadium faces security-related hurdles. Although ready for use, it lacks approval from police and intelligence services due to traffic concerns.

Club Contributions

Esteghlal and Persepolis clubs have stepped up by contributing 17.5 billion tomans each toward stadium improvements. Addressing traffic issues at Takhti Stadium remains a challenge, but Taj hopes to find a solution. Until Azadi Stadium is fully prepared, Takhti will host matches.

Collective Responsibility

In closing, Taj emphasized that stadium preparation is not solely the responsibility of the Football Federation. Collaboration among clubs, authorities, and the community is essential to elevate Iran’s football infrastructure.

Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium: An embarrassment for Iran’s football!

The recent Sepahan match against Shabab Al-Ahli in the preliminary rounds of the AFC Asian Elite League playoffs unfolded at Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium this evening, in Iran’s second-largest football arena. However, despite its grandeur, the stadium’s recent renovation left spectators puzzled.

The Renovation Riddle

As fans gazed upon the pitch, they wondered about the nature of the recent renovations. The once-pristine lawn now bore scars—small patches of grass struggling to survive amid vast expanses of sand and soil. The uneven surface posed both aesthetic and safety concerns, raising eyebrows among players and spectators alike.

A Missed Opportunity

The decision to host the match on this subpar pitch remains a mystery. The AFC’s oversight allowed competitive football to unfold on an unsuitable surface. The blame lies partly with the match commissioner and the AFC Competitions Commission, who failed to ensure optimal playing conditions.

A World Cup Dilemma

Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium is slated to host Team Melli’s first match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Kyrgyzstan. However, the current state of the pitch casts doubt on its readiness. With just a month until kickoff, urgent action is needed. FIFA and AFC must step in to safeguard players from the perils of competing on a makeshift field.

Azmoun’s Swift Impact

In the match, Sardar Azmoun—initially benched—made a dramatic entrance. Within a minute of being substituted, he spun magic on the field. A 180-degree turn inside the 6-yard box left defenders bewildered, and Azmoun clinically found the net. His equalizer showcased his brilliance, even against his national teammates as both Payam Naizmand and Saleh Hardani failed to stop his clinical finish, a trademark Azmoun goal.

Al-Ahli’s Triumph

Despite Sepahan’s efforts, Shabab Al-Ahli emerged victorious, winning 4-1 in extra time. The match will be remembered not only for the scoreline but also for the turf that tested players’ mettle.

As Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium grapples with its identity—majestic yet marred—the football world awaits its transformation. However, it is time that the AFC and FIFA act to stop matches from being played on such a poor surface not even suitable for grazing.

Team Melli players news.

Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad: Rising Star from Sepahan to Russia

Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad, the talented midfielder from Sepahan Isfahan, has captured the attention of football enthusiasts in Iran. His outstanding performance during the last season earned him accolades from experts and a coveted spot in Team Melli—the Iranian national football team. Now, he embarks on an exciting journey to Russia, signing a contract with Dynamo Makhach Qala.

The Move to Russia

Hosseinnejad’s departure to the Russian Football League marks a significant milestone in his career. Sepahan, his former club, stands to receive nearly one million dollars for this transfer. Despite Esteghlal’s efforts to entice him to Tehran, the 21-year-old midfielder has chosen to become a “legionnaire” in Russian football—a path taken by several Iranian players seeking international exposure.

Sepahan’s Upcoming Challenge

While Hosseinnejad sets his sights on Russia, Sepahan faces an intriguing challenge. The team will host Shabab Al-Ahli of Dubai at Naghshe Jahan stadium in the qualification round of the AFC Champions League 2024/25 season. What makes this match even more captivating is the potential debut of Team Melli’s striker, Sardar Azmoun, on Iranian soil in a senior club competition. Azmoun, born in Gonbed Kavus, was registered with Sepahan at the youth level but never made a senior appearance for the club, despite representing Team Melli at various age levels.

Shabab Al-Ahli’s Roster

Shabab Al-Ahli boasts another Iranian presence—Saeid Ezzatolahi. Unfortunately, Ezzatolahi is currently on the injury list. The winner of this match will advance to face Al-Gharafa of Qatar in the group stages of the AFC Champions League.

As Hosseinnejad’s star continues to rise, football fans eagerly await his performance in Russia, and Sepahan supporters hope for success in their continental campaign. The beautiful game unites us all, transcending borders and showcasing the talents of players like Mohammad Javad Hosseinnejad.