Category: News

Who Really Runs Team Melli? Torabi’s Explosive Claims Expose the Shadow Leaders

Mehdi Torabi’s recent outburst was not just a complaint—it was a bombshell revelation about the corrupt power dynamics controlling Iran’s national football team. The usually reserved Tractor Tabriz winger, known for his quiet demeanor, shocked fans by exposing what many have long suspected: Team Melli is not run by the coach, but by a powerful clique of players who dictate call-ups, tactics, and even team selections.

Torabi’s Rebellion: A Breaking Point for Team Melli

Torabi is not a troublemaker. He rarely speaks out, avoids controversy, and has never been one to rock the boat. So why now?

Because the rot in Team Melli has reached unbearable levels.

In his explosive interview, Torabi stopped short of naming names, but his message was clear:

“The criteria for selection in Team Melli are not based on merit. Personal relationships, favoritism, and outside influences decide who gets called up. This is a betrayal of the fans and the sport.”

His words confirm what insiders have whispered for years—a shadowy “player mafia” controls the national team, manipulating coaches, administrators, and even the FFIRI (Iranian Football Federation).

The Gang Behind the Curtain: Who Are They?

While Torabi avoided direct accusations, multiple sources within Team Melli point to two key figures as the ringleaders:

1. Alireza Jahanbakhsh – The Declining Star Who Won’t Let Go

  • Once a Golden Boot winner in the Dutch league (21 goals in 2017/18), Jahanbakhsh’s career has plummeted since his failed move to Brighton.
  • Last seven seasons (140 games, 14 goals) – a pathetic 0.082 goals per game for club.
  • For Team Melli (since 2018): 13 goals in 57 games (0.23 per game) – hardly the stats of an irreplaceable star.
  • Yet, despite his decline, he remains untouchable, taking minutes from younger, hungrier players like Torabi.

Why? Because he wields influence behind the scenes, leveraging his status to maintain his place regardless of form.

2. Mehdi Taremi – The Undisputed Leader (On and Off the Pitch)

  • Unlike Jahanbakhsh, Taremi’s club performances (until recently) justified his place—his Porto stint was stellar.
  • But his disastrous move to Inter Milan (minimal impact in a failed title bid) raises questions about his current level.
  • More troubling, however, is his reported role as the locker room’s “godfather.”
  • Insiders claim he dictates team politics, influencing call-ups and sidelining those who challenge his authority.

How the “Player Mafia” Operates

  1. Pressure on Coaches – Senior players threaten unrest if their preferred teammates are excluded.
  2. Favoritism Over Merit – Underperforming veterans (like Jahanbakhsh) keep their spots, while in-form players (like Torabi) are ignored.
  3. Backroom Deals – Rumors persist of agents and federation officials colluding with player cliques to maintain control.

Why Nothing Changes

  • FFIRI is Weak & Complicit – The federation lacks the will (or courage) to investigate.
  • No Independent Oversight – Unlike in Europe, where media and federations hold power players accountable, Iran’s system protects the status quo.
  • Political Protection – As long as the team qualifies for tournaments, no one in power cares how the sausage is made.

What Happens Next?

  • Torabi’s Career in Jeopardy – Will he be blacklisted like Ahmad Noorollahi?
  • Ghalenoei’s Choice – Will he crack down on player power or kowtow to the mafia to save his job?
  • Fan Backlash – If corruption isn’t cleaned up, Team Melli’s credibility will collapse entirely.

The Big Question: Will Anyone Be Held Accountable?

Torabi has broken the silence, but unless:

  • Media keeps pressure up,
  • Fans demand transparency,
  • FFIRI is forced to act,

Nothing will change.

Team Melli belongs to the people of Iran, not a privileged few. It’s time to take it back.

Who’s with Torabi?

Corruption and Nepotism in Team Melli: Torabi’s Explosive Claims Expose a Toxic Locker Room Culture

Mehdi Torabi’s shocking revelations about the deep-rooted corruption, favoritism, and nepotism in Team Melli’s player selection process have confirmed long-standing suspicions of a powerful “mafia” controlling the national team. His accusations not only expose the unprofessional and unethical environment under Amir Ghalenoei’s leadership but also raise serious questions about whether meritocracy even exists in Iranian football.

Torabi’s Defiance: A Player Breaking the Silence

As Team Melli prepares for its final 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and North Korea matches that are mere formalities after Iran’s early qualification—the real drama is unfolding off the pitch. Mehdi Torabi, one of Iran’s most consistent wingers at the club level, was mysteriously absent from the national team camp without explanation. Instead of quietly fading away, Torabi launched a scathing attack on the corrupt system dictating Team Melli’s selections.

In a rare and bold interview, Torabi declared:

“The criteria for invitations and playing time in Team Melli are not based on merit or performance. Instead, personal relationships, favoritism, and unsporting factors decide who gets called up. This is a disgrace to our football and a betrayal of the fans who deserve better.”

He further challenged Ghalenoei directly:

“Tell me, what technical reason is there that I was invited now but not for the last two camps ? I represent many players who are ignored for the wrong reasons.”

Torabi’s defiance has sent shockwaves through Iranian football, forcing fans and media to confront an open secret: Team Melli’s locker room is controlled by a shadowy network of players, agents, and officials who prioritize loyalty and interest over talent.

The “Gang” Running Team Melli: Player Power at Its Worst

Torabi’s claims align with years of rumors about player dominance, backroom deals, and political maneuvering in the national team. Reports have long suggested that a select group of senior players—backed by influential figures outside the federation—dictate call-ups, tactics, and even coaching appointments.

  • Past incidents support Torabi’s allegations:
  • Ehsan Hajsafi, Ramin Rezaeian, and Karim Ansarifard—despite declining form—were repeatedly called up due to their connections rather than performance.
  • Ahmad Noorollahi, one of Iran’s best midfielders in recent years, was blacklisted after clashing with the coaching staff, proving that dissent is punished, not debated.
  • Young talents are ignored in favor of aging veterans who maintain influence in the locker room.

Ghalenoei, aware of this toxic dynamic, has failed to dismantle the system. Instead, he has compromised, fearing the same fate as Dragan Skočić, who was ousted after losing the dressing room.

Ghalenoei’s Hypocrisy: A Coach Who Talks Tough but Bends to Pressure

When Ghalenoei returned as head coach, he promised to end player dominance, saying:

“I will fight player-centricity. Those who know me understand I don’t tolerate indiscipline.”

Yet, under his watch:

  • The same clique of players continues to enjoy preferential treatment.
  • Critical voices (like Torabi) are silenced or exiled.
  • Transparency in selections remains nonexistent.

Now, Ghalenoei faces his biggest crisis. Will he:

  1. Investigate Torabi’s claims and clean up the system?
  2. Punish Torabi to please the “mafia” and maintain his job?
  3. Continue pretending nothing is wrong until another scandal erupts?

The Bigger Problem: A Federation Rotting from the Top

Torabi’s outburst is not just about one player—it’s a symptom of systemic corruption in Iranian football. The FFIRI (Iranian Football Federation) has long been accused of nepotism, financial mismanagement, and political interference. Until the federation is held accountable, no coach, no matter how strong, can truly reform Team Melli.

What Happens Next?

  • If Ghalenoei ignores Torabi’s claims, he risks losing credibility and fan support.
  • If he punishes Torabi, he proves that truth-tellers are not welcome in Iranian football.
  • If he actually reforms the system, he may face resistance from powerful figures who benefit from the status quo.

One thing is clear: Mehdi Torabi has exposed the rot in Team Melli. The question now is, will anyone in power care enough to fix it? Or will Iranian football continue to be a playground for the connected few while true talent rots on the sidelines?

The fans deserve answers. The players deserve fairness. Iranian football deserves better.

Sardar Azmoun’s Injury Raises Concerns Ahead of Iran’s World Cup Qualifiers

Sardar Azmoun’s absence from Shabab Al-Ahli’s recent match against Al-Jazira in the ADNOC Pro League has reignited concerns over the severity of his injury and how long he may remain sidelined. The Iranian striker’s condition was visibly serious—he even attended his team’s championship celebrations using a cane, raising further questions about his recovery timeline.

With Iran’s final two World Cup qualifiers against Qatar (June 5) and North Korea (June 10) fast approaching, Azmoun’s availability for Team Melli under head coach Amir Ghalenoei is now in serious doubt. Emirati media reports suggest the injury could keep him out for at least six weeks, effectively ruling him out of the upcoming fixtures.

Azmoun’s potential absence poses a significant challenge for Ghalenoei, given the striker’s pivotal role in Iran’s attack. Although Team Melli has already secured early qualification for the 2026 World Cup, improving their FIFA ranking remains a key objective for the coaching staff. Additionally, maintaining squad cohesion and sharpness ahead of major tournaments is crucial, and losing a player of Azmoun’s caliber disrupts those plans.

However, his absence could also present an opportunity for other forwards to step up and prove their worth in the national team setup. As Iran prepares for its upcoming matches, all eyes will be on how Ghalenoei adjusts his tactics to compensate for the potential loss of one of his star players.

Mehdi Torabi Skips Team Melli Training Without Notice, Risking World Cup Exclusion

Tehran, Iran – Mehdi Torabi, the Tractor midfielder, has sparked controversy by failing to report for the Iranian national team’s latest training camp ahead of June’s crucial fixtures—despite being called up by head coach Amir Ghalenoei.

According to a Mehr News report, Torabi’s unexplained absence has forced the coaching staff to consider a replacement, with Mohammad Hossein Sadeghi now invited to fill the void. This move raises serious questions about Torabi’s future in Team Melli, especially with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers looming.

A Pattern of Exclusion and Frustration

Torabi’s absence follows his omission from Iran’s recent matches against the UAE and Uzbekistan during the Nowruz period (March 2025). Despite being a consistent performer for his club over the past four years, the 29-year-old has struggled to cement a regular starting role under Ghalenoei.

Sources suggest that Torabi’s no-show could stem from:

  • Frustration over limited playing time with the national team.
  • Fatigue after a grueling club season with Tractor.
  • A calculated gamble, possibly testing the federation’s patience.

However, his decision to skip camp without prior notice has backfired, damaging his standing with the coaching staff.

Consequences: A World Cup Dream in Jeopardy

Torabi’s unprofessional conduct may cost him dearly. The national team’s management values discipline, and his unexplained absence could lead to:

  • Immediate removal from the upcoming June squad.
  • Long-term exclusion from World Cup qualifiers.
  • A damaged reputation, making future call-ups uncertain.

Broader Implications for Team Melli

This incident highlights a recurring issue in Iranian football—the tension between club commitments and national team loyalty. While player burnout is a legitimate concern, communication with the coaching staff is non-negotiable. Torabi’s silence has only worsened his situation.

Under Ghalenoei, Torabi is a second such case after Ahmad Nourollahi left the Team Melli camp without permission or knowledge of the head coach. Nourollahi has never been invited to Team Melli since and remains on the black list.

If he hopes to salvage his international career, a public explanation and apology may be necessary from Torabi. Otherwise, his name could soon disappear from Team Melli’s plans altogether and join his mate Nourollahi

Mashhad Loses Hosting Rights for Iran vs. North Korea World Cup Qualifier Amid Infrastructure and Logistical Failures

Mashhad, Iran – The Iranian national football team’s final 2026 World Cup qualifying match against North Korea, originally scheduled to take place at Mashhad’s Imam Reza Stadium, has been relocated due to persistent infrastructure deficiencies and logistical complications. Despite initial enthusiasm for hosting the game in the holy city, unresolved stadium shortcomings and external pressures have forced the Football Federation to seek an alternative venue.

A Symbolic Request Meets Practical Realities

Team Melli’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, had pushed for Imam Reza Stadium as the host venue—not for its technical merits, but to allow players to visit the shrine of Imam Reza (AS). The Football Federation approved the request and submitted the stadium to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for approval, initiating efforts to bring the facility up to international standards.

However, what followed was a glaring example of institutional mismanagement.

Imam Reza Stadium Falls Short of AFC Standards

Despite being touted as one of Iran’s most modern stadiums, Imam Reza Stadium failed to meet critical AFC requirements. Key deficiencies included:

  • Inadequate access to the conference hall and mixed zone.
  • No separate spaces for team benches, compromising match protocols.
  • Poor spectator flow, raising safety concerns due to entrance and exit bottlenecks.

Despite repeated meetings between stadium officials and football authorities, these issues remained unresolved—a recurring theme in Iranian football administration.

Political and Social Obstacles Compound the Problem

Beyond infrastructure failures, the decision-making process was further complicated by:

  • Religious hardliners in Mashhad vehemently opposing women’s attendance, creating security concerns.
  • Overwhelming ticket demand, with requests far exceeding the stadium’s 20,000 capacity, risking dangerous overcrowding.

While the Football Federation claimed cooperation from local officials had mitigated some issues, the lingering threats and logistical hurdles made hosting the match in Mashhad untenable.

Another Blunder in Iranian Football’s Long History of Mismanagement

The relocation of this crucial qualifier is not an isolated incident—it is the latest in a series of institutional failures plaguing Iranian football.

  • A Pattern of Poor Planning: Imam Reza Stadium had already proven unfit for high-profile matches, most notably during Team Melli’s previous game there, where female fans were violently barred from entering. Yet, the Federation ignored these warnings, opting instead to indulge Ghalenoei’s sentimental request.
  • Chronic Disorganization: From last-minute venue changes to failure in enforcing AFC standards, Iran’s football authorities have repeatedly demonstrated incompetence and short-term thinking.
  • A Broken System: The fact that Martyrs’ Stadium in Shahr Quds—a venue with its own limitations—is now the likely alternative speaks volumes. Even Tehran’s iconic Azadi Stadium, despite its own issues, was bypassed, suggesting deeper logistical chaos.

Conclusion: A Federation in Disarray

This debacle underscores a harsh truth: Iranian football is being run into the ground by negligence and ineptitude. The Federation had ample time and prior incidents to disqualify Imam Reza Stadium from consideration. Instead, it wasted resources on a doomed proposal, only to scramble for a last-minute solution—a hallmark of its chaotic governance.

Unless drastic reforms are implemented, such embarrassments will continue to haunt Team Melli, both on and off the pitch.

Iran National Team Announces Preliminary Squad for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

. The last two FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers to be held in Doha and Mashhad

The team Melli coaching staff , unveiled its preliminary squad consisting of Domestic League players for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Qatar and North Korea. The selected players are required to report to the National Football Center by 10:30 AM on Thursday, June 1st, for training camp.

Key Players Called Up

The roster includes:

  • Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand , Payam Niazmand, Parsa Jafari, Mohammad Khalilzadeh
  • Defenders: , Milad Mohammadi, Ali Nemati, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Aref Aghasi, Morteza Pouraliganji, Mohammad Amin Hezbavi, Aria Yousefi, Yaqoub Barajeh
  • Midfielders: , Aref Haji Eidi, Mohammad Karimi, Mehdi Torabi, Mehdi Hashemnejad, Mohammad Mehdi Mohebi
  • Forwards: Mohammad Askari, Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh, Ali Alipour

Club Representation

  • Tractor SC leads with six call-ups: Beiranvand, Shoja Khalilzadeh, Aghasi, Torabi, Hashemnejad, and Hosseinzadeh.
  • Persepolis follows with five players: Mohammadi, Niazmand (who recently joined from Sepahan), Pouraliganji, Barajeh, and Alipour.
  • Sepahan contributes four players: Hezbawi, Yousefi, Karimi, and Mohebi.
  • Foolad Khuzestan has two representatives: Askari and Nemati.
  • Zob Ahan and Aluminum each have one player: Jafari and Haji Eidi, respectively. (Notably, Haji Eidi parted ways with Aluminum after the conclusion of the 24th Persian Gulf Pro League season.)

New Faces and Youth Emphasis

Parsa Jafari (Zob Ahan) and Yaqoub Barajeh (Persepolis) have received their first senior national team call-ups, marking a significant milestone in their careers. Alongside Mohammad Askari, these young talents bring fresh energy to the squad, lowering the team’s average age and signaling a shift toward integrating emerging players.

Iran has already secured its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals. Qatar, will be fighting for a spot on the play-offs while North Korea will have no chance of making any such spot.

Iran wins 3rd place and a ticket to the FIFA Women Futsal World Cup

Hohhot: Iran overcame China PR in the third-place playoff of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 on Saturday to seal their place at the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025.

The two-time champions ended their campaign on a high in front of a raucous partisan crowd at the Hohhot Sports Centre, as the 3-1 victory ensured that they will join Thailand and Japan at the inaugural World Cup come November.

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Given the high stakes, it was perhaps no surprise that both teams started tentatively as they probed for openings without overcommitting.

But Iran then took the initiative as Fereshteh Khosravi, Maral Torkaman and Fereshteh Karimi went close, before Liu Danping saved efforts from Elham Anafjeh and Karimi.

There was a scare when Fatemeh Rahmati nearly put the ball in her own net, with only the outstretched left leg of Farzaneh Tavasoli preventing disaster. The Iran goalkeeper then fielded Yu Ting’s rasping strike as her side broke the deadlock shortly after on 11 minutes.

Liu did superbly to repel attempts from Rahmati and then Nasimeh Gholami on the rebound, but was helpless to prevent the latter from setting up Torkaman to score her fifth goal in six games from unmissable range.

Tavasoli, the veteran, then demonstrated that she can still cut it at this level with a brilliant stop off Zhang Rui’s volley. Seconds later, the 38-year-old made a sprawling save from Ke Yaoxiang’s grounder, before getting up immediately to push the rebound away from the lurking Zhang.

Silenced at the break, the home fans were on their feet within a minute of the restart. 

Receiving the ball on the right, Su Jiahong pulled off a stunning piece of skill by leaving the onrushing Tavasoli for dead with a perfect Marseille turn before calmly picking out Cao Jiayi to tap in the equaliser.

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The upper hand was with China PR now and Nastaran Moghimi made a vital intervention to prevent Ke from getting to a loose ball, while Tavasoli pulled off another top reflex save from the ensuing corner to deny Zhang.

Despite being under the cosh, it was Iran who scored next as they caught the reds shirts out at a corner. Gholami rolled the set-piece to Moghimi, who had ghosted into the area, to sidefoot a shot that came off the left post and back into goal off the unfortunate Liu on 30 minutes.

Lady Luck deserted China PR at the other end three minutes later as Zou Yinglan’s attempt beat Tavasoli but not the right post.

The home side brought out the power play and threw everything in a bid to take the game to extra time, but to no avail and it was Torkaman who finished them off in the dying seconds with a long-range strike into an unguarded net.

Maral Torkaman wins Top scorer award.

Hohhot: With four goals for Iran prior to the third-place playoff, Maral Torkaman added two more on Saturday against China PR to emerge as the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ and help lead her side to the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup Philippines 2025.

The 22-year-old cemented her status as one of Asia’s brightest futsal stars on her competition debut, showcasing her deadly finishing and also adding one assist.

The Palayesh Naft Abadan player’s brace in the 3-1 third-place playoff win against the hosts made it six goals in as many matches, which took her clear of Chinese Taipei’s Liu Wen Ling and Thailand’s Jenjira Bubpha – both with five goals – at the top of the scoring charts.

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Torkaman became the third different player in as many editions to claim the accolade after Chikage Kichibayashi of Japan (2015) and Sara Shirbeigi of Iran (2018).

Iran Women Futsal to the Semi-finals following victory vs. Chinese Taipei

Hohhot: Iran stayed on course to win a third AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ title by overcoming Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals on Tuesday.

They were made to sweat for the 3-1 victory at the Hohhot Sports Centre by a determined opposition, who were gunning to reach the last four for the first time.

After the match finished 1-1 at the end of regulation time, Fereshteh Khosravi and Farzaneh Tavasoli netted deep in extra time to make it 13 wins in 14 matches overall.

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The breakthrough was made by the Central Asians after just two minutes when Mahtab Banaei was fouled by goalkeeper Chu Fang-Yi in the area, allowing Maral Torkaman to step up and smash in the penalty for her second goal of the tournament.

Iran pushed for a second and Chu had to save efforts from Khosravi, Elham Anafjeh and Sara Shirbeigi, with Nasimeh Gholami and Banaei also spurning chances from close range.

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They were given a scare when Su Hui-Chi rounded custodian Tavasoli but put the ball wide while off-balance, while Chen Min-Huang twice blazed wide from decent positions.

But Chinese Taipei did find the equaliser in the 18th minute through a well-worked kick-in routine, which saw Chen set up Liu Wen Ling to lash in her tournament-leading fifth goal from range.

Q-final: Chinese Taipei v IR Iran

That elicited a strong response from Iran, who peppered the opposing goal with shots from the restart – only to be as wasteful as they were before.

Their attempts were either tame strikes at Chu or off-target, with only Fereshteh Karimi coming close when she side-footed wide from Sara Shirbeigi’s pass in the 25th minute.

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Having been under the cosh for most of the half, Chinese Taipei then came agonisingly close to taking the lead with five minutes left.

Pouncing on a loose ball, Liu Chih-Ling strode down the right and cracked a howitzer off the bar with Tavasoli a mere spectator.

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Straight down the other end, Banaei fired wildly from a promising position and the Chinese Taipei rearguard held out to send the tie into extra time.

Torkaman thought she had broken the resistance in the 42nd minute only for Chu to produce a stupendous one-hand fingertip save, with Tavasoli then denying Chen with an outstretched leg a minute later at the opposite end.

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Torkaman was foiled again by Chu in the second half of extra time but then with less than two minutes left, Iran struck the fatal blow.

A swift move saw Banaei accelerate away down the left before squaring for Khosravi, who made no mistake at the far post.

There was no way back with seconds left as Tavasoli sent a goal-kick into an empty net with Chinese Taipei throwing everyone forward, sealing a semi-final showdown with Japan on Thursday.

A soul-less goal less draw by Iran’s women futsal.

Hohhot: Iran and Vietnam played out a 0-0 draw on Sunday evening in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 at the Hohhot Sports Centre.

With both sides having confirmed progress to the last eight prior to this encounter, the result meant that Vietnam finished top of Group B.

It also ended Iran’s remarkable winning streak in the tournament, having won every one of their 12 games prior to this encounter.

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The only team to have won this tournament, two-time champions Iran saw plenty of the ball in the first half but never really troubled Tran Thi Hai Yen’s goal, apart from a Sara Shirbeigi effort that was well saved.

Meanwhile, Vietnam were content to let their opponents do the probing as they sat back and waited for opportunities to break, though these never materialised.  

Iran took their foot off the pedal after the break, but Vietnam could not take advantage.

Group B: Iran v Vietnam

Tran Thi Thu Xuan came close with a strike from an impossible angle, which was deflected away by goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli. Then, with two minutes left, Bui Thi Trang dragged a low shot wide of the left post.

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Hai Yen then ventured out of her goal to have a pop, which flew well off target as the match petered out into a stalemate.

Vietnam will next face the Group C runners-up in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, while Iran take on Chinese Taipei in the final last-eight tie on the same day.