Category: News

12/10/202512/10/2025

Team Melli Set for Quadrangular Tournament in November FIFA Window

The Iranian national football team is set for a busy and competitive schedule during the next FIFA international break in November. Following warm-up matches against Russia and Tanzania in October, the Football Federation (FFIRI) has secured Team Melli’s participation in a four-nation tournament hosted by the United Arab Emirates.

The tournament, which promises a high level of competition, will feature Iran, Egypt, Uzbekistan, and Cape Verde. This provides crucial preparation for the teams that have already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, offering a stern test against diverse playing styles.

Tournament Schedule and Potential Showdowns

According to the tournament format, the semi-finals are scheduled for November 7. Iran will face the Cape Verde national team, currently ranked 70th in the FIFA World Rankings. A victory would see Team Melli advance to the final on November 17, where they would face the winner of the other semi-final between Uzbekistan and Egypt.

The prospect of a final between Iran and Egypt, featuring Mohamed Salah, is a tantalizing one for football fans in West Asia and North Africa, promising an exciting clash of styles and star power. Both Egypt and Uzbekistan, like Iran, have already secured their passage to the 2026 World Cup.

If Iran loses its semi-final against Cape Verde, the team will not be idle, facing the loser of the Uzbekistan-Egypt match in a third-place playoff on November 12.

A Closer Look at Iran’s Opponent: Cape Verde

The upcoming match will be the first-ever international meeting between Iran and Cape Verde, adding an element of the unknown to the fixture.

Cape Verde, known as the “Blue Sharks,” are far from a minor opponent. They are one of Africa’s most respected and formidable teams, consistently punching above their weight. Their recent performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they topped a group containing Egypt and Ghana before reaching the quarter-finals, announced them as a serious force.

Despite a recent 2-1 loss to Libya—a match where they were reportedly hampered by a refereeing error that cost them a direct path to World Cup qualification—they remain a dangerous and organized side. Coached by Bubista, their team is built on a foundation of tactical discipline, physical strength, and explosive counter-attacks. They boast talented players such as Jovane Cabral (Sampdoria), Ryan Mendes (Fatih Karagümrük), and captain Stopira, many of whom ply their trade in top European leagues.

For Amir Ghalenoei’s Iranian squad, this match against a motivated and athletic African opponent will be a vital test, particularly in assessing the team’s tactical flexibility and discipline—areas that have recently come under scrutiny.

This quadrangular tournament represents a significant step in Iran’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, offering two high-stakes matches against quality opposition that will challenge the team and its management.

12/10/202512/10/2025

Jahanbakhsh’s Embarrassing Foul Highlights Ghalenoei’s Failing Strategy

The recent international friendly against Russia not only ended in a 2-1 loss for Iran but also exposed a deepening crisis within Team Melli, one rooted in the repeated poor judgment of head coach Amir Ghalenoei. The central emblem of this failure was the embarrassing and dangerous performance of Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Jahanbakhsh, who has been without a club since his contract with SC Heerenveen was terminated after a single, unremarkable season, was a liability from the moment he stepped onto the pitch as a substitute. His 20-minute cameo was widely described on social media as “confused,” “ineffective,” and “agitated,” culminating in one of the ugliest scenes in recent Team Melli history.

The Incident: A Moment of Shocking Ill-Discipline

During the second half, Jahanbakhsh recklessly raised his foot high, making direct and dangerous contact with the head of Russian defender Lechi Sadulayev. The foul was so egregious that a straight red card was the only appropriate outcome by any standard of the game. To the shock of fans and the Russian team alike, the referee only produced a yellow.

The result was stark: Sadulayev lay in clear agony, the stud marks from Iran’s captain visibly etched on his face and neck as he received treatment. This moment was not merely a lapse from a veteran player; it was a symptom of a deeper sickness within the squad—a lack of discipline and professionalism that falls directly at the feet of the manager.

Ghalenoei’s Culpability in a Deepening Crisis

This incident is not an isolated one. Under Ghalenoei’s tenure, the Iranian national team has been plagued by discipline issues, amassing a concerning seven red cards. Jahanbakhsh’s foul should have been the eighth, and it underscores a pattern of tactical and selection weakness.

The core of the problem is Ghalenoei’s baffling persistence with Jahanbakhsh. The captain has been in a spiral of declining form for at least two seasons and, critically, has been without a club for nearly six months. A fundamental principle of international football is that players must be fit, in form, and actively competing. By selecting a rusty, unattached player, Ghalenoei not only set Jahanbakhsh up to fail but also knowingly introduced a liability into the team.

The foul itself, while lacking obvious ill intent, was a direct product of this rustiness and a complete lack of match sharpness—a flaw for which the coach is entirely culpable. This repeated poor judgment in player selection points to a tactical weakness that extends beyond a single game; it reflects a stubborn refusal to build a squad based on merit and current ability.

Unsurprisingly, this episode has intensified calls from fans and experts for the 35-year-old Jahanbakhsh to retire from international duty. However, the larger demand is for accountability from the dugout. Until Ghalenoei is held responsible for his failing strategy and misguided loyalty to underperforming veterans, Team Melli’s progress will remain stalled.

12/10/202512/10/2025

Tanzania Set for Crucial Dubai Friendly Against World Cup-Bound Iran

DAR ES SALAAM – The Tanzania national football team, the Taifa Stars, have departed for Dubai ahead of a high-profile international friendly against Iran on October 14, 2025. The match, scheduled on the official FIFA international calendar, presents a critical challenge for the East African side as they look to rebuild after a disappointing end to their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The fixture pits a Tanzanian team in a phase of renewal against an Iranian squad already preparing for the global stage, having secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

A Vital Test for Rebuilding

Speaking before the team’s departure, head coach Hemed “Morocco” Seleman described the friendly as a “vital test” for his side. He emphasized its importance in rebuilding squad confidence and improving overall performance after a string of disappointing results.

“It is true that we have not done well in our recent World Cup qualifying matches,” said Morocco, referencing losses to Niger and Zambia. “But that cannot discourage us. We must look ahead, especially with the AFCON 2027 tournament on the horizon. This match will help us assess our squad, raise our standards, and start preparing early.”

The Taifa Stars’ hopes of advancing to the World Cup play-offs were dashed after failing to win their last three qualifying games, a 1-1 draw with Congo Brazzaville followed by 1-0 defeats to both Niger and Zambia. These results leave Tanzania third in their qualifying group.

Despite the setback, Coach Morocco remains optimistic, viewing the game against Iran as a potential turning point. He stressed the need for tactical discipline and mental resilience, noting that the match will provide his technical bench a valuable opportunity to evaluate new players and strengthen team chemistry.

A Unifying Fixture for the Diaspora

Beyond the tactical implications, the friendly has generated significant excitement, particularly within the East African community in the UAE. For many expatriates, the game is more than a fixture; it is a celebration of football culture, unity, and a chance to rally behind their national heroes.

The match is expected to be a vibrant display of support, strengthening sporting ties between Africa and Asia and showcasing football’s power to unite nations. While the exact venue and kick-off time are yet to be officially confirmed, anticipation is steadily building for the Tuesday clash.

Iran: A Formidable Opponent Coming Off a Tight Loss

Tanzania will face a formidable Iranian team that is using this friendly window as crucial preparation for the 2026 World Cup. Iran comes into the match on the back of a tightly contested 2-1 loss to Russia in Volgograd.

A Review of Iran’s Last Game: Russia 2-1 Iran
In a hard-fought encounter against a strong Russian side, Iran demonstrated their characteristic organization and resilience. Despite ultimately falling to a 2-1 defeat, the match was a valuable exercise for Team Melli. They held their own for large periods against a physically imposing opponent, showing flashes of the cohesive, counter-attacking football that earned them World Cup qualification. The narrow scoreline, away from home, against a European powerhouse (albeit one currently suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions), underscores Iran’s quality and the scale of the challenge awaiting the Taifa Stars. This performance indicates that Iran will be a sharp and battle-tested opponent, eager to refine their tactics in Dubai.

Match Details

Who: Iran vs. Tanzania
When: October 14, 2025
Where: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Significance: For Iran, it’s vital preparation for the 2026 World Cup. For Tanzania, it’s a key building block for their AFCON 2027 preparations and a chance to restore confidence.

10/10/202510/10/2025

Iran Falls 2-1 to Russia in World Cup Preparatory Friendly

The Iranian national football team continued its preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 defeat against Russia in a spirited friendly at a packed Volgograd Arena on Thursday. Despite a second-half equalizer from Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, a decisive strike from Russia’s Batrakov sealed the victory for the hosts.

The match was steeped in a World Cup atmosphere, with the Russian hosts recreating the pomp of the 2018 tournament. The pre-match ceremony featured the shirts of both nations covering the pitch, and the national anthems were met with a roaring welcome from the 42,000-strong capacity crowd.

Match Summary

22′ (Russia): Rubiev opened the scoring with a calm finish after a beautiful through pass left him one-on-one with Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand.
50′ (Iran): Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh leveled the score, tapping into an empty net after a wide pass from Saman Ghoddos found him unmarked in the box.
70′ (Russia): Batrakov secured the win for the hosts, firing a precise shot past Beiranvand from the edge of the penalty area after a cleared header fell to his feet.

A Tale of Two Halves

Iran, fielding a blend of youth and experience, started the brighter of the two sides. They controlled possession in the opening minutes and pinned the Russian team in their own half, though they failed to create any serious chances.

After the initial pressure, the game shifted. Russia grew into the match and began dictating the tempo, with their pressure culminating in Rubiev’s 22nd-minute opener. Iran was nearly dealt a second blow just four minutes later, but a crucial goal-line clearance from Shoja Khalilzadeh bailed out Beiranvand after a mistaken charge from his line.

The second half began promisingly for Team Melli, who found an immediate response. Hosseinzadeh’s timely run and finish five minutes after the restart seemed to set the stage for a strong comeback. The Move started by Ramin Rezaein to Saman Ghoddos, whose brilliant cut, split the Russian defense for Hosseinzadeh to slot the ball easily for the equalizer.

However, Russia reasserted its dominance as the half progressed. The home side controlled possession and created several threatening opportunities before Batrakov’s powerful strike ultimately decided the contest. Coach Amir Ghalenoei responded by introducing fresh legs like Kasra Taheri for his debut and Mohammad Ghorbani, but despite improved pressure in the final stages, Iran could not find a second equalizer.

Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead

While the Iranian team showed moments of promise and a better overall performance compared to recent outings, defensive vulnerabilities proved costly. Both goals conceded highlighted ongoing issues in the team’s defensive structure that will need addressing ahead of the World Cup.

Team Melli will continue its preparation campaign with another friendly against Tanzania on Tuesday in the UAE.

Iran’s Starting XI: Beiranvand; Rezaian, Khalilzadeh, Abarghoei, Nemati; Ezzatollahi (77′ Ghorbani), Norafkan; Ghoddos (77′ Taheri), Mohebi, Hosseinzadeh; Taremi.

10/10/202510/10/2025

Team Melli Faces Russia Amidst Questions of Form.

Team Melli is set to play against Russia this evening in Volgograd, in another attempt by head coach Amir Ghalenoei to restore the waning confidence of the Iranian fans.

For Ghalenoei, the approach remains largely unchanged, with only minor squad rotations. The one bright spot is the inclusion of Kasra Taheri, the promising U23 star, though whether he will see any playing time remains to be seen.

This match against Russia—a nation banned from the international arena by what many see as a hypocritical FIFA—presents an opportunity for Iran to test itself against tough opposition. Unlike the weak standard of Iran’s domestic league, the Russian Premier League remains strong and competitive despite its European ban, which has sidelined clubs like Zenit and Spartak. In stark contrast, Iranian clubs are arguably at their lowest level in decades. Esteghlal’s recent 7-0 defeat to Al Wasl of the UAE in a secondary Asian competition highlights how far Iran’s best clubs have fallen.

This domestic decline is directly reflected in the quality of players and the game plans of Team Melli. For years, the national team could depend on its legionnaires (players based abroad) to cover for these shortcomings, but that is no longer the case. With Sardar Azmoun sidelined for an extended period following surgery, the forward line is overly dependent on Mehdi Taremi. While Taremi started brilliantly at Olympiacos after his move, he now struggles to secure a starting spot for the Greek club.

The situation is even more concerning for Team Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who currently does not have a club to train with, let alone play competitive matches—a basic requirement for international duty. In Ghalenoei’s book, however, this does not seem to matter.

Other legionnaires are not in better shape. Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, a player of great promise, has been underperforming in the Belgian league with KVC Westerlo. Since his transfer, he has played six matches, scoring no goals and providing only a single assist. Ghalenoei’s selection criteria remain a point of contention.

Adding to the controversy is the recall of 37-year-old Shoja’a Khalilzadeh to the defense—a unit in dire need of fresh energy after consistently conceding goals. The central midfield is another area of concern, as a chronic lack of service to the forwards has hampered the team’s attacking potential. Saman Ghoddos, the team’s creative maestro, is suffering a dip in form and has been uninspiring lately, requiring courage from Ghalenoei to revitalize this critical line.

The goalkeeping position also raises questions. None of the options have been shining for their clubs. Payam Niazmand, who replaced the suspended Alireza Beiranvand, was far from solid and has not proven himself a capable replacement. Beiranvand is most likely to start, but his form is not at its peak either.

Historically, Iran and Russia have met three times, with Team Melli winning once and drawing the other two. Russia comes into the match undefeated in its last five outings, including an impressive 4-1 win against Qatar in September, though they have largely faced Asian and African opposition rather than European teams.

Team Melli is playing its first match since a narrow defeat to Uzbekistan, prior to which it had three wins and a draw. The match in Volgograd should be a balanced affair, with current form and home-ground advantage favoring the Russians under coach Valery Karpin. Kickoff is at 20:00 local time at the sold-out Volgograd Arena.

06/10/202507/10/2025

Team Melli Squad Cards 2025

Payam NIAZMAND

Jersey Number: 12

Post: Goalkeeper

Birth Date: 1995-04-06

Age (2026): 31

Caps: 15

Goals: 0

Rank	Name	Minutes	Starter	Sub	Caps
1	Ali DAEI	13,066	145	6	151
2	Javad NEKOUNAM	12,656	144	13	157
3	Ali KARIMI	10,202	120	10	130
4	Ehsan HAJSAFI	9,899	118	23	141
5	Jalal HOSSEINI	9,619	107	7	114
6	Mehdi MAHDAVIKIA	9,154	107	4	111
7	Andranik TEYMOURIAN	7,848	90	11	101
8	Karim BAGHERI	7,293	84	3	87
9	Hossein KAEBI	7,248	84	8	92
10	Mehdi TAREMI	7,152	84	15	99
11	Javad ZARINCHEH	6,960	80	1	81
12	Ebrahim MIRZAPOUR	6,824	79	0	79
13	Alireza BEIRANVAND	6,816	81	0	81
14	Mehdi RAHMATI	6,681	74	2	76
15	Yahya GOLMOHAMMADI	6,631	80	2	82
16	Ahmadreza ABEDZADEH	6,596	74	3	77
17	Mohammad NOSRATI	6,561	74	9	83
18	Sardar AZMOUN	6,453	77	14	91
19	Ali PARVIN	6,189	68	4	72
20	Hamidreza ESTILI	6,165	72	9	81
21	Afshin PEYROVANI	6,000	66	2	68
22	Parviz GHLEECHKHANI	5,906	67	0	67
23	Hadi AGHILI	5,771	66	3	69
24	Saeid EZATOLAHI	5,662	66	12	78
25	Alireza VAHEDI-NIKBAKHT	5,610	66	10	76

A Vital Test for Rebuilding

A Unifying Fixture for the Diaspora

Iran: A Formidable Opponent Coming Off a Tight Loss

Match Details

Team Melli is set to play against Russia this evening in Volgograd, in another attempt by head coach Amir Ghalenoei to restore the waning confidence of the Iranian fans.

Payam NIAZMAND

Seyed Hossein HOSSEINI

Alireza BEIRANVAND

Arya YOUSEFI

Ali NEMATI

Amin HEZBAVI

Rouzbeh CHESHMI

Hossein KANANI-ZADEGAN

Milad MOHAMMADI

Shojaa KHALILZADEH

Aref AGHASI

Ali GHOLIZADEH

Omid NOORAFKAN

Mohammad KARIMI

Mohammad GHORBANI

Saman GHODDOS

Saleh HARDANI

Javad HOSSEINNEZAD

Saeid EZATOLAHI

Mohammadmehdi MOHEBI

Amirmohammad RAZZAGHINIA

Ali ALIPOUR

Shahriyar MOGHANLOU

AliReza JAHANBAKHSH

Mohammad MOHEBI

Mehdi GHAEDI

Mehdi HASHEMNEJAD

Kasra TAHERI

Amir Hossein HOSSEINZADEH

Sardar AZMOUN

Mehdi TAREMI