Tag: CAFA Nations Cup 2025

Taremi Seals the Deal: Iran Overcomes Stubborn India to Secure Vital CAFA Victory

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – Team Melli secured a commanding 3-0 victory over a resilient Indian side in their second Group B match of the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup at Hisar Stadium on Monday. However, the scoreline belied a tale of two halves, as Iran was frustrated for long periods before a flurry of late goals, including one from new Olympiacos signing Mehdi Taremi, sealed the crucial win.

After a goalless and often scruffy first half, the breakthrough finally came in the 59th minute through Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh. Iran then put the result beyond doubt with two goals in the final moments, courtesy of substitutes Ali Alipour (89′) and Mehdi Taremi (90+6′).

A Tale of Two Halves

Head coach Amir Ghalenoei rang the changes from Iran’s previous outing, fielding a new-look defensive pairing of Hossein Kanaani and Amin Hizbavi, while handing the captain’s armband for the first time to experienced right-back Ramin Rezaeian.

The first half was a story of Iranian dominance met with resolute Indian defending. The Blue Tigers, led by an inspirational performance from captain Sandesh Jhingan and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, organized a formidable low block. While Iran controlled possession and probed for openings, their final pass and finishing were consistently lacking, allowing India to reach halftime with a clean sheet intact.

The second half saw a more energized and determined Iranian side emerge. The pressure intensified, and the deadlock was finally broken just before the hour mark. A cross from the right flank by Kanaizadegan, caused chaos in the Indian box; after a goalmouth scramble, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh was quickest to react, poking the ball home from close range.

Super-Subs Make the Difference

Seeking to kill the game, Ghalenoei unleashed his bench, introducing a wave of quality including Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mehdi Taremi, and Ali Alipour. The move paid immediate dividends as the fresh legs overwhelmed a tiring Indian defense.

With just a minute of regular time remaining, a mild shot from Taremi cannoned off the post, and Ali Alipour was perfectly positioned to tap in the rebound and double Iran’s lead.

The victory was capped off in style deep into stoppage time. Alireza Jahanbakhsh delivered an immaculate cross from the right flank that found Mehdi Taremi striding into the box. The newly-signed Olympiacos striker displayed his class with a composed, first-time finish past the advancing Sandhu, providing a fittingly high-quality end to the match.

The Road Ahead

The defeat severely dents India’s hopes of reaching the final. Their tournament fate now hinges on their final group match against Afghanistan, where a positive result could still see them advance to the third-place playoff.

For Iran, the win all but guarantees a place in the tournament final. They need only a draw against host nation Tajikistan on Thursday to finish top of Group B. While the three points will be welcomed, the performance—particularly in the first half—will give coach Ghalenoei pause for thought. The team’s ability to find a solution and the impact of its world-class substitutes ultimately proved decisive, papering over what was, for long stretches, another unconvincing display.

India faces a tough challange against Iran

IFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: The senior Indian men’s national team, after defeating hosts Tajikistan last week, are now winding up for the clash against Asian giants IR Iran, at the Hisor Central Stadium in Hisor, Tajikistan, which will kick off at 17:30 PM IST, on Monday, September 1, 2025. The match will be streamed live on FanCode.

India head coach Khalid Jamil credited the victory against the hosts to the unity amongst the entire team. “The win was all down to the unity that the players showed on the pitch. They all worked in unison. Not only the players, but the entire staff – the technical, non-technical, and medical staff all worked together, and the unity within the team is visible,” Jamil said to the-aiff.com on the eve of the match.

India (133rd in the FIFA rankings) next face Iran (ranked 20th), a match that may very well be termed as a ‘David versus Goliath’ affair. The Indian head coach, however, is focused on getting the Blue Tigers up and ready for the match against the Asian giants.

“The win in the last game was a huge motivation for us, but the main thing right now is for us to be ready for the Iran game. We’ve had two days to recover, and now we need to ensure that everyone is fresh when we face Iran,” said Jamil.

Defender Sandesh Jhingan, who scored the second goal in the 2-1 victory against Tajikistan and was named Player of the Match for his performance, stressed the importance of using the Tajikistan win to build momentum for the real objectives.

“Yes, we are happy that we got a win and that we have three points, but we must build on this win as a nation and as a team. We must continue to improve, because our main aim is to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup for the third consecutive time,” said Jhingan. “These games are important for us to prepare for the upcoming qualifiers (against Singapore).”

Iran have the march over India in the head-to-head record; the former having won four, while the Blue Tigers scored two victories against Team Melli, on the six occasions that the two sides have crossed swords. However, India’s last win against Iran came in 1959 in Ernakulam, when goals from Chuni Goswami, Yusuf Khan, and Tulsidas Balaram helped the hosts win 3-1.

India last faced Team Melli back in 2016 in the World Cup qualifiers, where the latter won 4-0 in Tehran. Of the current squad, only Jhingan, goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and winger Udanta Singh were present in the team back in 2016.

“I think only the three of us (Jhingan, Sandhu, and Udanta) have played against them in this squad, so we know what kind of a challenge they will pose,” said Sandhu. And of course, they have only gotten better over the years, playing in the World Cup on a regular basis,” said Sandhu. “What we have learned playing against top opposition like Iran is that we have to make the most of our chances when they come by, and minimise our mistakes as much as we can, because such teams will punish any lapses.

“But the most important thing is to believe in the team and stay united at all times,” said Sandhu. “We must follow the plans laid out by the coach with all honesty. We must make sure that we make life difficult for them. We must show bravery and desire. Nothing is impossible in football – the Grimsby vs Manchester United (match) was an example of that.”

Mehdi Taremi Completes Move to Olympiacos

ATHENS, Greece – In a significant move for both player and club, Iranian international striker Mehdi Taremi has officially joined Greek Super League champions Olympiacos on a multi-year contract. The transfer brings an end to months of speculation and marks a new chapter for the prolific forward.

The deal was finalized after Taremi, who was in camp with the Iranian national team for a CAFA Nations Cup 2025 tournament in Tajikistan, received special permission from his coach. He departed on a private jet to Athens, Greece, on Sunday, underwent and passed his medical examinations, and signed his contract before returning to rejoin his national team duties.

Transfer Details and Contract

According to widespread reports from major Greek media outlets and renowned international football journalists, including Fabrizio Romano, Olympiacos secured Taremi’s services for a modest transfer fee of approximately €2-2.5 million. This represents a significant coup for the Piraeus-based club, as the 31-year-old striker was available on a free transfer just last summer.

Taremi has signed a contract that will see him earn over €2 million per season. His arrival is a major statement of intent from Olympiacos as they prepare for a demanding campaign on both domestic and European fronts.

A New Challenge for Taremi

Upon his arrival in Athens, Taremi expressed his excitement about the new challenge. “I am very happy to join Olympiacos. Everyone knows how big and popular this club is, and I hope I can help the team,” he stated.

He also addressed the prospect of competing for a starting role with the club’s other attackers, including AFCON hero Ayoub El Kaabi and Ukrainian forward Roman Yaremchuk. “We are all here to help the team succeed, and the main goal is the success of the club. I am ready to compete and contribute in any way I can.”

From Milan to Piraeus

Taremi joins Olympiacos after a single season with Italian giants Inter Milan, where he arrived as a free agent following a highly successful stint with FC Porto. While often used in a rotational role at Inter, the Iranian made 43 appearances across Serie A and European competitions, scoring three goals and providing nine assists, playing a part in the Nerazzurri’s Scudetto-winning campaign.

Before choosing Olympiacos, Taremi was a sought-after commodity, attracting serious interest from several European clubs and notably turning down lucrative offers from Brazilian powerhouses Flamengo and Botafogo.

What This Move Means

For Olympiacos, this is a marquee signing. Taremi brings a wealth of experience from top European leagues and the UEFA Champions League, along with a proven track record of goalscoring and playmaking. His presence immediately bolsters their attack as they seek to dominate the Greek Super League once more.

For Taremi, the move offers a central role in an ambitious project and the guaranteed opportunity to feature in the UEFA Champions League. Olympiacos will face a “group of death” featuring European heavyweights Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund, providing Taremi with a perfect stage to showcase his talents.

Olympiacos currently sits atop the Greek Super League table with a perfect six points from their opening two matches. The addition of a player of Taremi’s caliber makes them a formidable force as they look to achieve success both at home and on the continent’s biggest stage.

Team Melli Regroups with Focus on India After Opening WinTeam Melli News in CAFA 2025

Following a positive start to their campaign, Team Melli resumed training on Saturday with light recovery exercises and warm-up maneuvers. The session’s focal point was an extensive tactical briefing led by head coach Amir Ghalenoei and his staff, meticulously preparing the squad for their crucial September 1st encounter against India.

Despite fielding a new-look lineup in the 3-1 win over Afghanistan—a match where the team was well-organized and displayed neat, passing football—Coach Ghalenoei was quick to highlight lingering gaps in their performance. The solitary goal conceded came against the run of play but once again exposed a concerning lack of concentration in defense and Team Melli’s continued vulnerability to counterattacks.

The upcoming opponent signaled their strong intentions in Group B by securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over hosts Tajikistan. This result firmly establishes India as a formidable contender and likely presents Iran’s most significant challenge in the group stage.

In squad news, Mehdi Taremi, who made a brief cameo appearance against Afghanistan, has been granted permission to travel to Athens to finalize his transfer to Greek club Olympiacos. He is scheduled to return to Dushanbe via private jet in time to rejoin the team following the signing ceremony.

Meanwhile, defender Mohammad Khodabandehloo, who was substituted during the Afghanistan match, has suffered an injury and will depart the camp for Tehran to undergo further assessment. His replacement, Abolfazl Jalali, has been called up and is en route directly from Tehran to bolster the defensive line.

Indian Head to Head results

H / A / NMatchesWDLGoals+ / –
H22007 – 0+7
A640212 – 6+6
N32106 – 1+5
Total1181225 – 7+18
DateCompetitionH / A / NFinal scoreStadiumAttendance
24.03.2016World Cup QualifierH4 – 0Azadi Stadium – Tehran29,900
08.09.2015World Cup Qualifier / Round 2 – GROUP DA3 – 0Sree Kanteerawa, Bangalore14,500
13.05.1992Asian Cup Qualifier /A3 – 0Calcutta2,0000
07.12.1984Asian Cup / Group BN0 – 0National Stadium, Singapore10,000
07.03.1980Olympics Qualifier /N2 – 0National Stadium, Singapore11,000
13.12.1966Asian GamesN4 – 1Chulalongkorn University Stadium, Bangkok10,000
19.06.1964Olympics QualifierA3 – 1Rapindra Soria , Calcutta25,000
06.06.1964Olympics QualifierH3 – 0Amjadiah , Tehran30,000
18.12.1959Asian Cup QualifierA2 – 1Maharaja’s College : Ernakulam, India
08.12.1959Asian Cup QualifierA1 – 3Ernakulam, Kerela, India20,000
10.03.1951Asian Games / FinalA0 – 1Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, New Delhi40,000

Iran’s much changed Squad Beats Afghanistan 3-1 in CAFA Nations Cup Opener

Team Melli, began their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign with a 3-1 victory over Afghanistan. The match was held today at 15:30 local time at the Hesar Stadium in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Goals for Iran were scored by Majid Aliyari, who bagged a brace, and Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh.

As anticipated, Iran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, opted for a major change in the lineup for the opening match, resting several key senior players. The new-look squad was tasked with overcoming an opponent not widely known on the Asian stage.
The star of the game was debutante Majid Aliyari who scored two goals to register his name in the elite of scoring twice in their debut.

Team Melli quickly asserted control with a possession-based style. However, in a surprising turn of events, Afghanistan capitalized on a rare counter-attack, with Omid Mousavi scoring in the 22nd minute to give his team a shock lead. The goal sparked Iran’s attack, and just four minutes later, Majid Aliyari equalized with a header from a corner kick. Iran continued its momentum, and in the 36th minute, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh extended the lead. Despite a late push by the Afghans, the first half ended with a 2-1 lead for Iran.

Iran began the second half with a more cautious approach, prioritizing defensive solidity to avoid another early scare. Ghalenoei used his bench, making multiple substitutions to introduce fresh legs and a new dynamic. The changes paid off in the 64th minute when Majid Aliyari scored his second goal of the match, completing a brace and extending Iran’s lead to 3-1. Although Team Melli continued to dominate possession and seek more goals, they were unable to find the back of the net.

In the final moments of the game, with seven minutes of added time, Ghalenoei brought on star player Mehdi Taremi in a final attempt to score. The current outcast showed very little to appease the worries of his fans for being sidelinesd in Inter Milan with no appearne in the league this season. Taremi’s efforts were modest in these remaining minutes.
The match ended with a 3-1 victory for Iran over their determined opponent.

Match Lineups

Iran National Team:

  • Starting XI: Seyed Payam Niazam, Aref Aghasi, Ali Nemati, Aria Yousefi, Omid Norafkan, Roozbeh Cheshmi, Mehran Ahmadi, Mehdi Hashemnejad, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, Majid Aliyari, Ali Alipour.
  • Substitutes: Ramin Rezaian (for Aria Yousefi, 62′), Mohammad Naderi (for Omid Norafkan, 62′), Alireza Koushki (for Ali Alipour, 62′), Mohammad Khodabandehlu (for Mehran Ahmadi, 77′), Mehdi Tekdari (for Mehdi Hashemnejad, 77′), Mehdi Taremi (for Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh, 90′).

Afghanistan National Team:

  • Starting XI: Faisal Hamidi, Sharif Mohammad, Musawar Ahadi, Elias Mansoor, Amid Arezo, Rahmat Akbari, Naeem Rahimi, Zulfiqar Nazari, Omid Mousavi, Maziar Kohyar, Tofi Sekandari.
  • Substitutes: Thomas Safari (for Musawar Ahadi, 46′), Alireza Panahi (for Rahmat Akbari, 39′), Yama Shirzad (for Thomas Safari, 66′), Sayed Morteza Fatemi (for Tofi Sekandari, 66′), Hossein Zamani (for Omid Mousavi, 82′).

Iran’s Title Defense: Ghalenoei Bets on Experience for CAFA Nations Cup 2025


Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has named a seasoned 27-man squad for Iran’s upcoming CAFA Nations Cup 2025 title defense, opting for continuity and experience over a significant generational shift. The tournament will be held in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan from August 29th.

Despite the general perception of the CAFA region’s modest competitive level—with Uzbekistan being the clear exception—Ghalenoei has largely stuck with his established core. The squad is a blend of veteran internationals and a select few emerging talents from the Iranian Premier League, signaling a clear intent to retain the trophy won against Uzbekistan in the 2023 final.

The team’s preparations are hampered by significant absences. Key stars such as Sardar Azmoun, Mehdi Ghaedi, and Ali Gholizadeh are all sidelined due to injury, while first-choice goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand is out through suspension. These omissions have undoubtedly diluted the squad’s overall strength.

Navigating the Group Stage

Team Melli’s campaign begins with a match against Afghanistan, a fixture they will be expected to win comfortably. The following games against India and hosts Tajikistan are anticipated to present progressively tougher challenges. However, the ultimate test is expected to be a potential final rematch against a strong Uzbek side.

Concerns Over Key Figures

The squad list reveals concerns regarding the fitness and form of its leadership. Captain Alireza Jahanbakhsh is currently without a club, having yet to secure a contract for the new European season. With transfer windows beginning to close, his match sharpness remains a major question mark.

Meanwhile, vice-captain and team star Mehdi Taremi finds himself in a difficult situation at Inter Milan. Despite his high-profile move, the striker has been relegated to train with the club’s U23 side and has been excluded from the senior squad as the Italian giants seek a buyer for him.

Alireza Jahanbaksh heading against Hunt of UAE

Squad Composition

The selection highlights the dominance of Iran’s domestic league, with the country’s top clubs providing the bulk of the players.

  • Sepahan: 6 players
  • Esteghlal: 5 players
  • Persepolis: 4 players
  • Tractor: 3 players
  • Other Clubs: The remainder of the squad is drawn from other domestic teams and includes three players from UAE’s Etihad Kalba.

The Full 27-Player Squad:


GOALKEEPERS:
1- Payam Niazmand – 30 years -(Persepolis),
2- Nima Mirzad – 28 years – (Mes Rafsanjan),
3- Seyed Hossein Hosseini – 33 years- (Sepahan)

Defenders:

4- Mohammad Hossein Kananizadegan – 31 years- (Persepolis),
5-Mohammad Naderi – 28 years – (Tractor),
6- Aref Aghasi – 28 years – (Esteghlal),
7-Ramin Rezaeian -35 years- (Esteghlal),
8- Ali Nemati -29 years- (Foolad),
9- Omid Noorafkan -28 years- (Sepahan),
10- Amin Hezbavi – 22 years- (Sepahan),
11- Aria Yousefi -23 years- (Sepahan),

Midfielders:

12- Mohammad Mohebi – 26 years- (Rostov, Russia),
13- Mehdi Hasheminejad – 24 years- (Tractor)
14- Saman Ghodoos -31 years- (Etihad Kalba UAE),
15- Mehdi Mohebi -25 years- (Etihad Kalba UAE),
16- Mohammad Khodabandelou -25 years- (Presepolis),
17- Rouzbeh Cheshmi -32 years- (Esteghlal),
18- Alireza Koushki -25 years- (Esteghlal),
19- Mohammad Ghorbani -23 years- (Al-Wahda, UAE),
20- Mehdi Tikdari Nejad – 29 years- (Sepahan),
21- Alireza Jahanbakhsh – 32 years- (No Club),

Forwards:

22-Mehdi Taremi -33 years- (Inter Milan, Italy),
23- Mehran Ahmadi – 27 years- (Esteghlal),
24- AmirHossein Hosseinzadeh – 24 years- (Tractor)
25- Ali Alipour -29 years- (Persepolis),
26- Shahriyar Moghanlou – 30 years- (Ittihad Kalba , UAE),
27- Majid Aliyari -29 years- (Sepahan)

Malaysia’s withdrawal from Cafa Nations Cup disrupts tournament plans

The Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) has expressed strong disapproval over the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) last-minute decision to pull out of next month’s CAFA Nations Cup, disrupting well-advanced tournament preparations.

In a strongly worded statement, CAFA clarified that Malaysia’s participation in the August 29–September 8 tournament in Tajikistan had been confirmed long in advance, with FAM fully aware of the schedule from the outset. “Those dates have never been changed from the beginning,” CAFA emphasized, dismissing FAM’s justification for withdrawal as unconvincing.

While FAM cited concerns over player availability—since the tournament slightly overlaps with non-FIFA windows—CAFA pointed out that the competition allows flexible squad registration, enabling teams to call up players on a match-by-match basis. “This system was designed to maximize participation, even allowing key players to join later if initially withheld by clubs,” the statement read.

FAM, however, claimed that the adjusted dates—which now fall partly outside the FIFA window—created “significant challenges” for assembling a full-strength squad, particularly with Malaysia’s overseas-based players in Spain, Argentina, Colombia, and Japan.

A Questionable Reversal of Commitment

Malaysia’s sudden withdrawal raises serious questions about FAM’s professionalism and foresight. The draw had already placed Harimau Malaya in Group B alongside Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, with head coach Peter Cklamovski initially expressing enthusiasm about facing strong opponents like Iran.

Yet, just weeks before the tournament, FAM and Cklamovski performed an abrupt about-face, citing logistical and player-release issues that should have been foreseeable from the start. If player availability was truly a dealbreaker, why commit to the tournament in the first place? Either FAM failed to properly assess the calendar constraints—demonstrating poor planning—or it is using the FIFA window as a convenient excuse for deeper internal shortcomings.

Cklamovski’s remarks further strain credibility. After previously welcoming the challenge, he now claims that assembling foreign-based players was “not realistic,” blaming travel, recovery time, and budget constraints. Yet, other participating nations—many with players also based abroad—have managed to adapt.

A Pattern of Unreliability?

Malaysia’s late exit not only disrupts the competition but also damages its own reputation. CAFA had structured the tournament expecting Malaysia’s presence, and its withdrawal forces unnecessary adjustments. This is not the first time FAM has backed out of commitments—raising concerns over whether it takes international football obligations seriously.

While FAM frames its decision as protecting player welfare, the timing suggests a lack of due diligence. If the FIFA calendar was indeed the primary concern, why wait until after the draw to withdraw? The move reeks of indecisiveness or, worse, a federation that fails to honor its commitments.

Ultimately, Malaysia’s absence may not diminish the tournament’s quality—but it certainly highlights FAM’s unreliability. If Malaysian football aspires to greater regional and global relevance, such erratic behavior must be addressed. Last-minute withdrawals harm not only organizers but also the nation’s standing in the football community.

Team Melli Begins CAFA Nations Cup 2024 Campaign Against Afghanistan

Dushanbe, Tajikistan – The CAFA Nations Cup 2024 is set to kick off on August 29, with Iran’s Team Melli beginning their title defense against Afghanistan in Dushanbe. Host nation Tajikistan will also start their campaign on the same day, facing Malaysia, the sole East Asian representative in the tournament.

Group Stage Fixtures & Key Matches

  • August 29:
  • Iran vs Afghanistan
  • Tajikistan vs Malaysia
  • September 1:
  • Iran vs Malaysia
  • Afghanistan vs Tajikistan
  • September 4 (Final Group Matches):
  • Tajikistan vs Iran (a potential group decider)
  • Afghanistan vs Malaysia

All matches in Group B will be held at Dushanbe’s Central Republican Stadium, while Group A (featuring Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Oman) will take place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Tournament Format & Road to the Final

Only the group winners will advance to the final, scheduled for September 8 in Tashkent. The two runners-up will compete for third place in Dushanbe on the same day.

Team Melli’s Dominance & Expectations

As the defending champions of the CAFA Nations Cup, Iran enters the tournament as the favorite. Having won the inaugural edition in 2023, Team Melli will aim to maintain their regional supremacy under coach Amir Ghalenoei. Key players like Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun are expected to lead the charge.

Meanwhile, Tajikistan, fresh from their impressive 2023 AFC Asian Cup performance, will look to leverage home advantage. Malaysia, invited as a guest team, could be a dark horse, while Afghanistan seeks to make an impact under new management.

Group A Preview: Uzbekistan Favored to Progress

In Tashkent, hosts Uzbekistan are strong contenders, with the Kyrgyz Republic and Oman posing tough challenges. Turkmenistan will aim to spring a surprise in a competitive group. This group is the stronger of the two with a chance of an upset.

CAFA regional has two representatives in the next year FIFA World Cup in Iran and Uzbekistan.

With only one team from each group advancing, every match will be crucial. Football fans across Central Asia can expect an exciting tournament filled with high-stakes clashes.

Team Melli Head Coach Amir Ghalenoei stated:

“Our goal is clear—to defend our title. We respect all opponents, but we are here to win. The players are motivated, and we’ve prepared thoroughly for this challenge.”

Tajikistan’s Head coach, Petar Šegrt emphasized:

“Playing at home is an advantage, but also a responsibility. We want to make our fans proud and prove we belong among Central Asia’s best.”

Afghanistan, under new management, aims to make an impact. Coach Ashley Westwood remarked:

“We’re building something new, and this tournament is a great platform. The players are eager to show their potential.”
Malaysia Head Coach, Peter Cklamovski, described the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 as an important step in the Malaysian national squad’s journey towards building a more competitive team.
“The Nations Cup is an exciting tournament, and it’s an important step in our journey as a national team. We have been waiting for the draw for some time, and we’ve obviously had plan A and B“

He also described the match against Ira as a great opportunity to assess the true level of the Malaysian National Team.
“They (Iran) are going to the World Cup. It is a massive challenge for us, a massive opportunity for us. We will use it as a way to benchmark ourselves against the best. A test of our football against them, we will take our football to them as hard as we can.”
“


CAFA Nations Cup to be held in August to September 2025

The second bi-annual CAFA Nations Cup 2025 will be hosted by Uzbekistan and Tajikistan starting from August 29th until September 8th.

According to the official statement of the CAFA press service, in 2025 football fans will witness another continental tournament – the “CAFA Nations Cup-2025”. Not only Central Asian countries, but also new guest national teams will participate in this prestigious tournament. It has been officially confirmed that the national teams of Uzbekistan, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan, as well as invited teams Malaysia and Oman, will take part.

Such a wide format of the tournament is being held for the first time, making it even more interesting. The participation of invited Malaysia and Oman, who are serious opponents in their regions, will undoubtedly increase the level of competition. There will be special attention paid to how these teams perform on the CAFA field.

The draw ceremony will be held on July 3 in the capital of Tajikistan – Dushanbe. According to the unique format of the tournament, participants will be divided into two groups: all matches of Group “A” will take place in Uzbekistan, and Group “B” matches will be held in Tajikistan. This will give football fans in both countries the opportunity to experience the live tournament atmosphere.

The tournament is set to start on August 29. Exciting matches will continue until September 8, and the continent’s best team will be determined in the final. Through this tournament, the potential and development of Central Asian football will once again be showcased.

Every match in the CAFA Nations Cup-2025 is a new intrigue, new talent, and a new dream of the championship. Fans are ready to witness history. From the very first matches, all eyes will be on these stadiums!