Tag: FFIRI

Team Melli to Face Puerto Rico in Friendly Match Ahead of 2026 World Cup

According to Mehr News Agency, the Iranian national football team is planning to hold a friendly match against Puerto Rico as part of their preparation program for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mehdi Mohammadnabi, Vice President of the Football Federation and manager of the national team, stated that a low-intensity friendly has been scheduled for the period leading up to Iran’s opening World Cup match against New Zealand.

“This match will be held behind closed doors,” Mohammadnabi explained. “As is common practice in past World Cups, matches close to the start of the tournament are usually arranged with teams that are at a similar or even lower technical level than the national team to provide more suitable preparation conditions.”

The behind-closed-doors encounter is designed to fine-tune the team’s tactics and fitness without revealing strategies to future opponents. Iran is set to begin their World Cup campaign against New Zealand, making this friendly an important final step in their preparations.

Puerto Rico is ranked 160th in the FIFA World Rankings. The two teams have never met at an international level at any competition.

Mehdi Taremi faces possible World Cup ban over Iranian military service

The Daily Mirror, UK.
Story by Nathan Ridley
 

Mehdi Taremi of Iran is celebrating after scoring a goal during the AFC Asian Cup 2023 match between Iran and the United Arab Emirates at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on January 23, 2023. (Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Mehdi Taremi of Iran is celebrating after scoring a goal during the AFC Asian Cup 2023 match between Iran and the United Arab Emirates at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on January 23, 2023. (Photo by Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)© Noushad Thekkayil/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Iran striker Mehdi Taremi faces being denied entry to the 2026 World Cup over his mandatory military service. Taremi, 33, was prolific during qualification, scoring 10 goals in 15 games as Iran topped both of their groups.

Amir Ghalenoei’s side have been placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. They’ll play their fixtures in the US cities of Los Angeles and Seattle.

But Taremi might not be involved. It comes after the president of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran, Mehdi Taj, revealed that some players are at risk of not receiving visas.

“The United States might not issue visas to some players due to their military service location,” Taj warned. “That’s why we’ve started now and have selected replacements for players who might not receive visas.”

It quickly emerged from various Iranian media outlets that Taremi was among those who the federation chief was referencing. All Iranian men must serve time in a military once they turn 19.

Taremi’s situation, however, is markedly different from most of his team-mates. Between 2010 and 2012, the Olympiacos star served in the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the city of Bushehr near his home.

“My service was right there in Bushehr,” Taremi explained in a 2015 interview. “Close to our own home, at the IRGC Navy base. It wasn’t hard at all.”

The US State Department has firm restrictions for individuals with ties to organisations which it deems as foreign terrorist entities. Their list includes the IRGC.

In a statement provided to Pro Soccer Wire, a US State Department spokesperson didn’t rule out the possibility that some of Iran’s players could see their visa applications denied. “The Trump Administration is committed to doing everything we can to support a successful World Cup,” they said.

Iran's forward #09 Mehdi Taremi celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

Iran’s forward #09 Mehdi Taremi celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asia zone qualifiers group A football match between Iran and the North Korea at the Azadi Sports Complex in Tehran on June 10, 2025. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)© ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

“At the same time, the administration will not waver in upholding US law and the highest standards of national security and public safety in the conduct of our visa process.

“We adjudicate each visa application on a case-by-case basis after rigorous review and thorough vetting to determine whether the individual is eligible under US law.”

The ex-Inter Milan and Porto star could therefore miss out on the chance to play at back-to-back World Cups. In 2022, Iran came third in a group alongside England, Wales and the United States, finishing third on three points.

FFIRI President Details World Cup Preparations Amid Challenges.

In a comprehensive update on Iran’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Football Federation President Mehdi Taj addressed critical issues, including friendly match negotiations, visa denials for staff, and logistical planning for the team’s camp in the United States.

Friendly Matches: Portugal and Spain in Sight

Taj confirmed that efforts to secure high-profile friendly matches are advancing. “We aimed to arrange matches for March and June [early spring],” he stated. “For June, we targeted European opponents and have held significant talks with Portugal. This has progressed considerably, and within the next two to three days, we should sign a memorandum of understanding.”

He indicated that Portugal’s second friendly match in that window could be against Iran. Furthermore, Taj revealed ongoing coordination with Qatar for the earlier March window, where Spain and Egypt are scheduled to play. “Spain will come to Qatar and likely play them first, then potentially face us,” he added.

While talks have also been held with Scotland and Iceland, Taj emphasized that no agreements are yet final. “None are definitive at the moment. We must have replacement plans and alternative options ready.”

Visa Denials and Contingency Planning

Addressing the sensitive issue of U.S. visa refusals for some national team members, Taj outlined the federation’s proactive stance. “After consultations, we decided to send three representatives to the draw. We have started identifying replacement options for the World Cup squad,” he explained. “If, for any reason, a player is told he cannot come, we must have an alternative ready.”

He cited the case of team official Saeed Al-Hawie, who was denied a visa, possibly due to his professional history. “Those who may have served in certain capacities could face problems,” Taj noted. He confirmed that Iran has protested the matter to FIFA, suggesting the global body “could have stood up to the United States more firmly.”

Taj also mentioned a joint protest with Egypt regarding the official naming of their World Cup group stage match, which he labeled “unreasonable and supportive of a specific political group,” vowing to pursue the issue.

U.S. Training Camp and Ticket Sales

Regarding Team Melli’s base camp in the United States, Taj identified a preferred location. “We visited a camp approximately 56 kilometers from Los Angeles. The team can reach the city in under an hour, and it is only 12 minutes from the airport,” he said, highlighting its logistical advantage for Iran’s third group match in Seattle. “We hope no complications arise and this camp is secured for us.”

On ticketing, Taj stated that the average ticket price is around $500. While fans inside Iran will not be granted visas for the tournament, the federation plans to facilitate sales for the diaspora. “We must prepare to sell approximately eight thousand tickets per match for our supporters. Iranians living abroad will be able to purchase them through the federation’s website.”

FIFA Days
23–31 March 2026
1–9 June 2026

FIFA World Cup 2026
11 June – 19 July 2026

Group G

June 15, 2026 Belgium Match 16 EgyptLumen Field, Seattle
June 15, 2026Iran Match 15 New ZealandSoFi Stadium, Inglewood
June 21, 2026Belgium Match 39 IranSoFi Stadium, Inglewood
June 21, 2026New Zealand Match 40 EgyptBC Place, Vancouver
June 26, 2026Egypt Match 63 IranLumen Field, Seattle
June 26, 2026New Zealand Match 64 BelgiumBC Place, Vancouver

FFIRI Suspension of Alireza Beiranvand includes exclusion from Team Melli selection.

Mashhad, Iran – Mehdi Taj, President of the Iranian Football Federation, confirmed today that goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand will not join the national team for the foreseeable future due to an ongoing suspension.

The announcement came during a press briefing on the sidelines of the East Azerbaijan Football Board meeting, where Taj also addressed the selection of Mashhad as the host city for the upcoming Tractor vs. Esteghlal match.

Beiranvand’s Suspension: Rules and Next Steps

Regarding Beiranvand’s case, Taj emphasized adherence to regulations while leaving room for further review:

  • The goalkeeper is currently suspended, with half of the penalty still to be served.
  • The Appeals Committee’s detailed 11-page ruling remains open for scrutiny.
  • The option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is available, per standard statutes.

“While we respect the disciplinary process, the federation is actively working to resolve the situation,” Taj said. “All stakeholders are welcome to present their perspectives formally.”

Commitment to Governance and Future Success

Taj reiterated the federation’s focus on upholding governance standards while supporting teams:
“Our priority is to ensure fair conditions for both the national team and clubs. We remain optimistic about Iranian football’s continued progress.”

The statement concluded with no specified timeline for Beiranvand’s return.

The Controversial Suspension: A Year-Long Saga of Delays

Alireza Beiranvand’s suspension stems from a breach of contract complaint filed by his former club, Persepolis, over a year ago. Despite the straightforward nature of the case, the Football Federation (FFIRI) and its Disciplinary Committee demonstrated puzzling inertia—repeatedly deferring proceedings while Beiranvand completed an entire league season unaffected.

This extraordinary delay in resolving a contractual dispute raises serious concerns:

  • Transparency Issues: Why did a clear-cut case require 12+ months to adjudicate?
  • Selective Enforcement: Was the timing influenced by external pressures or political considerations within Iranian football?
  • Precedent Setting: The federation’s eventual acknowledgment of Beiranvand’s contractual breach—after such protracted deliberations—undermines confidence in its judicial processes.

Critics argue the federation’s sluggishness reflects either institutional incompetence or deliberate stalling to accommodate vested interests. Either way, the handling of this case has become emblematic of systemic governance flaws that demand urgent reform.


Tabnak Exposes New Financial Violations in Iranian Football

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A 10‑page report from the General Accounting & Audit of Iran—published by Tabnak News Agency—has revealed new dimensions of financial misconduct by senior officials within the Iranian Football Federation and the League Organization.

According to the report, the General Inspectorate is set to launch an investigation in the summer of 2024 into the financial documents and statements of both the League Organization and the Football Federation. This probe, described as an examination of the status, resources, and financial expenditures of the Iranian Football League Organization, is expected to scrutinize irregularities that have long been suspected.

The investigation has uncovered that top executives from both the Football Federation and the League Organization have registered a private company—also named the “Iranian Football League Organization”—into which a substantial portion of the federation’s domestic revenues is being funneled.

In recent months, headlines have been dominated by reports of staggering fines imposed by the federation’s disciplinary committee on clubs, players, and coaches. For instance, on January 7, 1403, the “Javan” newspaper—the media outlet of the Revolutionary Guards—reported that fines levied on Iranian football players and clubs between September and the end of December 2024 had generated a staggering figure of at least 54 billion tomans (US$ 1.3 million) in revenue for the federation.

Now, newly released documents from the Inspection Organization indicate that these funds were deposited into a private company managed by Mehdi Taj.

Mehdi Taj, who originally led the FFIRI from 2016 until 2019, resigned abruptly—citing ill-health—amidst allegations of financial misappropriation, corruption, secret contracts, and excessive payments to the Belgian coach of Team Melli, Marc Wilmott. Despite these serious concerns raised by both observers and government entities, Taj emerged unscathed and was re-elected as the federation’s president in 2022 under questionable circumstances. This election saw all the candidates drop one by one leaving Taj as the major candidate.

Even after several audits and investigations, including the largest corruption scandal in Iranian football history —during which referees were caught accepting bribes and the head of the referees committee was imprisoned—Mehdi Taj continues to deny any wrongdoing. His resilience, bolstered by strong support from influential figures within the Revolutionary Guards, has allowed him to remain in power.

This latest round of accusations, one among many leveled against the powerful IRGC operative who appears to be backed by top regime figures, could prove to be the final blow in Taj’s career. The question now remains: will he once again perform a Houdini act and escape accountability?

Editorial: Ghaleneoi’s narrative.

Although far from a perfect coach for Team Melli, Amir Ghalenoei has delivered results that cannot be ignored. His record speaks volumes about his ability to achieve success even when the team struggles to perform at its best. However, his tenure has not been without controversy, particularly regarding his interactions with the media and his press conferences.

Why TeamMelli.com Limits Press Conference Coverage

Some of our followers have questioned the limited coverage of Ghalenoei’s press conferences during official matches. We believe it is important to clarify our stance. At TeamMelli.com, our focus has always been on Team Melli itself—the players, performance, and results—not on political narratives or personal agendas.

While we strongly advocate for free speech, open dialogue, and constructive criticism, we also value impartiality and balanced reporting. Unfortunately, Ghalenoei’s press conferences often deviate from these principles, turning into platforms for personal promotion, political rhetoric, or unwarranted attacks on journalists and critics.

The Nature of Ghalenoei’s Press Conferences

Ghalenoei’s press conferences typically follow a predictable pattern. They begin with a series of formalities: thanking various individuals, praising the Team Melli staff, and expressing gratitude to his boss, Mehdi Taj, the head of FFIRI, for performing his duties. While courteous, this repetitive routine often feels more like unnecessary theatrics than substantive dialogue.

The tone then shifts to a more combative narrative. Ghalenoei frequently criticizes media personnel who dare to question the team’s performance, sometimes implying that such critiques are unpatriotic. He also references alleged personal rivalries, claiming there are “jealous” individuals working against him, though he rarely elaborates. Fans, however, care less about these personal grievances and more about the team’s performance, strategy, and results.

Why We Choose to Focus Elsewhere

In the modern world of football, where data-driven analysis, tactical insights, and performance reviews dominate discussions, Ghalenoei’s narrative feels outdated. At TeamMelli.com, we prioritize content that adds value to our readers: match reports, player statistics, historical perspectives, and tactical breakdowns. Covering Ghalenoei’s press conferences, which often lack substance, does not align with this mission.

That said, we do not completely dismiss Ghalenoei’s comments. Occasionally, he offers valuable insights or observations that are worth sharing. However, we choose to filter out the rhetoric and focus on content that genuinely matters to Team Melli fans.

A Commitment to Constructive Dialogue

Our decision is not a rejection of Ghalenoei as a coach but rather a reflection of our commitment to meaningful and objective coverage. Team Melli deserves reporting that highlights its achievements, analyzes its challenges, and celebrates its history. By staying true to this mission, we ensure that our readers receive the most relevant and impactful content.

Analysis of Reza Enayati’s Tenure in Iranian Football

Failure stories.

Last year, Iran’s Omid football team faced a significant setback when they were eliminated from the Asian Olympic football competition qualifiers after a surprising defeat against Hong Kong. This loss dashed their hopes of advancing to the next stage of the Olympic qualifiers. The team’s head coach, Reza Enayati, was a controversial choice due to his lack of coaching experience. His appointment came with the backing of several officials, including Team Melli’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei. Unfortunately, Enayati’s inexperience was glaringly evident both in his squad selection and his management during the qualifiers. Despite having a roster filled with promising young talents, some of whom were already part of Iran’s senior team, Enayati’s tactical shortcomings led to the team’s early exit against a modest Hong Kong side.

The aftermath of this failure was met with widespread disappointment from both the media and fans, who demanded accountability from the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI). However, no significant actions were taken, and the pervasive impunity in Iranian football continued unabated. Surprisingly, despite this major setback, Enayati was soon appointed as the head coach of Peykan Football Club, one of Tehran’s oldest and most prestigious teams. This decision was perplexing, especially given Peykan’s history of developing young players for Iran’s national teams at various levels.

Enayati’s tenure at Peykan proved to be another disastrous chapter in his coaching career. Under his leadership, the team suffered relegation from the Premier League following a 0-2 defeat against Esteghlal in the final week of the season. This relegation marked a significant blow, as Peykan had been a mainstay in the top flight for many years. Tehran’s football scene also took a hit, losing one of its Premier League representatives.

Given these consecutive failures, it raises questions about whether any CEO would be willing to entrust Enayati with a team for the next season. However, it appears that those who supported Enayati’s appointment despite his failure with the Omid team may once again find a new opportunity for him.

Enayati’s situation is emblematic of broader issues within Iranian football, including incompetency, corruption, and nepotism. The rapid progression of former players to coaching roles without adequate training, certification, or experience is a troubling trend. Coaches like Nekounam, Shojaei, and Navidkia are examples of individuals who have been given significant coaching responsibilities without meeting international standards. In contrast, European leagues often require formal coaching certifications and a thorough vetting process before appointments, a practice largely ignored in Iran.

This lack of process and disregard for international coaching standards not only hampers the development of Iranian football but also undermines its credibility on the global stage. For Iranian football to progress, there needs to be a significant overhaul in how coaches are trained, certified, and appointed, ensuring that competence and meritocracy replace the current culture of favoritism and expediency.

The match versus Capo Verde is OFF !!

As usual yet another friendly match arranged by FFIRI is canceled only days after it is announced!!

Mehdi Taj, head of FFIRI, has earlier announced that a match against Capo Verde has been agreed upon, with the venue still to be confirmed but most probably it will be in Tehran.

Today, the director of Team Melli had something else to say about the international friendly matches on FIFA Day.

According to Mehdi Mohammad Nabi; the contract for the first friendly match, which is scheduled to be held on September 07, against the Bulgarian national team, has been approved by both federations, the relevant confederations, and FIFA. He added: Regarding the second friendly match which is scheduled to be held on September 12, considering that the Cape Verde national team has an official match against the Togo national team on September 10, and based on the statements of the representative of the mentioned federation, they have not succeeded in changing the time of the official game!!!. Accordingly, Cape Verde will not be able to play the friendly match in Tehran. (…)

He added: “We are trying to take the necessary measures after consulting with the head coach of Team Melli for finding other options for the second friendly game.”

Yet again, it is another messy, amateurish act by this federation whose intellect and professionalism are on par with that of primary school pupils, with the utmost respect for the kids. How on earth, they even think of arranging a friendly match with a National Team that plays in Africa, and expect the squad to be in Tehran two days later for a match against Team Melli, is beyond comprehension!!!

Iranian football has for the last four decades severely suffered from mismanagement, failures, screw-ups, and a lack of common sense in the most basics of administration and management. We are not even approaching corruption, political interference, nepotism, and bias.

The standard of management personnel, mostly inept former or current civil servants, Basij, revolutionary guards, and regime loyalists, have left Iran’s football handicapped and absent from crowing and championships for nearly half a century.

And there is NO hope of any improvement in sight.

Italian coach Antonio Manicone is to be appointed as an assistant coach with Ghalenoei.

Petkovic’s former assistant on the Lazio, Switzerland and Bordeaux bench is expected to assist Amir Ghalenoei in Team Melli

Together with Petkovic

(Keystone)

June 3, 2023

According to reports in the Iranian media, Antonio Manicone is about to join the coaching staff of Team Melli, as an assistant to Amir Ghalenoei. The FFIRI has already confirmed its intention in fact confirmed its intention to hire a foreign assistant without naming anyone specific.

The 56-year-old Italian was assistant to Vladimir Petkovic on the benches of Lazio, the Swiss national team, and Bordeaux. As a player, he wore the shirts of Inter, Palermo, Genoa, and Perugia.

Currently, there are three Iranian assistant coaches helping Amir Ghalenoei, Andranik Teymourian, Hamid Mottahari, and Rahman Rezaei while Miguel Teixeira is the only non-Iranian assistant on the bench.

Afshin Ghotbi in the shortlist for coaching Omid Team.

The Iranian Football Federation is considering former Team Melli and Persepolis head coach Afshin Ghotbi as a candidate for coaching Iran’s Omid team (U21). This comes after a 3-hour meeting between Mehdi Taj, Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, and Habib Kashani to discuss the appointment of a new head coach for the team. Other names being considered include Mojtaba Hosseini and Mehdi Tartar.

In the meantime, the name of Afshin Ghotbi, the former head coach of the Iranian national football team, was added to the list of coaches available and willing to take the job. In past meetings, names such as

The coach will take over the assignment ahead of two important competitions, the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in September 2023 and the Olympic Games in Paris 2024.

Two Iranian candidates and one foreign are being shortlisted according to an announcement by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) to the Football Federation. It is also determined that this appointment must be determined by May 25 so that this team is ready to participate in the Asian Games. In this regard, the Football Federation has decided to identify the head coach of the Omid national team by May 24 and introduce him to the National Olympic Committee. Also, after last night’s meeting, Mehdi Taj, the president of the football federation, and Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the vice president of the federation, left for Qatar to participate in the draw of the  AFC Asian Cup 2023, which will be held on Thursday.

The coaching of the Omid Team has left many of those with heads down with failure after failure in all official competitions. Apart from some odd exceptions, the FFIRI tends to pick some inconspicuous or obscure coaches to save on wages and the result is inevitably, elimination from the competitions. With the Olympic Games, there is an added situation as the Iranian NOC is involved and history shows some bitter disagreement between the two sides (FFIRI and NOC) on various issues

Ghotbi is currently the head coach of Canadian Premier League side Vancouver FC, He was appointed in November of last year. Before that Ghotbi coached in the Chinese league with Cangzhou Mighty Lions.