Tag: FFIRI

A Crisis in Riyadh, an Opportunity in Tehran: How the Asian Cup's Possible Postponement Could Save Iran from Its Own Coach

As missiles rain down on King Khalid International Airport and Asian federations scramble to assess the safety of their players, the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran faces a moment of reckoning—and a potential escape route from a coaching disaster of its own making.

The missile and drone attacks on Riyadh have shattered the assumption that Saudi Arabia can safely host the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. At least 14 people were killed and over 300 wounded in multiple strikes on the capital's international airport over a single weekend, with a second attack striking the terminal just a day later, killing one and injuring eleven more. Airlines Etihad and Qatar Airways have suspended flights to Riyadh, and the airport remains closed until October 17.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) now faces an existential question: can it proceed with a tournament scheduled to begin on January 7 in a country where its capital's primary international gateway has been repeatedly targeted by hostile fire?

A Federation of Silence and Selective Security

The AFC's response—or lack thereof—has been telling. While the confederation has yet to issue a formal statement, multiple reports indicate that its executive committee will convene in the coming days to discuss options including postponement, relocation, or outright cancellation. Iranian media, citing Shargh Daily, has reported that FFIRI formally requested clarification from the AFC regarding the security situation and that the possibility of postponement or a change of host is on the table.

Yet the AFC's record on security matters is troublingly inconsistent. As Shahraranews pointedly observed, the confederation moved Iranian clubs' home matches to third countries citing security concerns, even as it has refused to acknowledge the manifest danger in Riyadh. The Saudi Pro League itself cancelled a domestic match between Abha and Al-Faisaly on security grounds, and an AFC Champions League fixture in Riyadh was delayed by an hour due to a Houthi missile alert—yet the AFC still has not formally declared Riyadh unsafe.

This selective application of security standards has not gone unnoticed. As one Iranian outlet put it, "It seems the AFC has changed the concept of insecurity according to its financial and sponsorship interests, putting the lives of footballers in Riyadh at risk".

The Dominoes Are Falling

The ripple effects are already being felt across the continent. South Korea's foreign ministry raised its travel advisory for all of Saudi Arabia to Level 3—"recommending departure"—and urged its citizens to leave unless their business was urgent. The Korea Football Association is in close communication with the AFC and has acknowledged that its planned November friendly in Saudi Arabia is now in doubt, with a federation official stating they are "discussing various possibilities" for the away trip.

Football Australia has similarly signalled its concern. A spokesman said the federation's "experienced security team is actively monitoring developments," adding that "risk assessment is part of our planning for every national team camp, and it will be a key focus of our preparations for January". The players' union, Professional Footballers Australia, emphasised that "the safety of players, fans and staff must be the priority".

The most likely scenario, according to ESPN, is not relocation—which would be logistically prohibitive at short notice—but a twelve-month postponement to January 2028, should the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels fail to dissipate. Chinese media has echoed this assessment, reporting that if the conflict does not subside in the coming months, the tournament will be pushed back to January 2028.

For Iran, a Postponement Is Not a Setback—It Is Salvation

Herein lies the paradox. For most federations, a postponement would be a logistical nightmare. For Iran, it may be the single best thing that could happen to Team Melli.

The reason is simple: it would give FFIRI the time—and the pretext—to do what it should have done months ago: relieve Amir Ghalenoei of his duties and appoint a competent coach capable of preparing a team that can genuinely compete at the Asian level.

The case against Ghalenoei is overwhelming and growing by the day. Since the World Cup—where Iran failed to win a single match and exited at the group stage despite an expanded 48-team format—the team has suffered two consecutive friendly defeats, to Uzbekistan and Russia, in the October FIFA window. Public polling cited by Iranian media indicates that more than 95 percent of football followers want Ghalenoei removed. As Football360 reported, Ghalenoei "who after the World Cup imagined an easier path to the bench, suddenly faced a bitter reality".

Yet the federation's response has been paralysis. Ghalenoei himself revealed that at a recent board meeting, he spoke for ten minutes and not a single member asked a question. "I swear to God, not a single person asked a question," he said. "I am available to address any concerns, but since no one raised a question, we simply left the meeting". He further stated that he made no promises about winning the Asian Cup and challenged any board member who believed they could take the team to the semi-finals under current conditions to step forward—and no one did.

This is not leadership. This is institutional surrender.

The Candidates Are Already Waiting

The good news is that viable alternatives exist—and the speculation about Ghalenoei's replacement has already begun in earnest. Iranian media has identified several credible candidates: Yahya Golmohammadi, one of the most decorated domestic coaches with experience managing star players at Persepolis; Farhad Majidi, who led Esteghlal to an unbeaten league title and has expressed a clear desire to coach the national team; and Dragan Skočić, who previously managed Iran and guided the team to World Cup qualification.

Each brings different strengths. Golmohammadi has the pedigree. Majidi has the popularity and the hunger. Skočić has the experience of navigating the unique pressures of Iranian football. What none of them have—and what Ghalenoei has squandered—is a coherent plan for rebuilding a squad that has grown old, stale, and tactically predictable under his watch.

A twelve-month postponement would give a new coach an entire year to implement a fresh vision, integrate younger players, and prepare the team properly for a tournament that Iran has not won since 1976. It would allow FFIRI to negotiate a dignified exit for Ghalenoei—framed not as a firing, but as a strategic reset in light of changed circumstances—and to install a replacement without the pressure of an imminent tournament.

The Window Is Narrow, But It Is Open

Of course, this scenario depends on decisions that have not yet been made. The AFC's executive committee, which will meet with Mehdi Taj participating as an AFC vice president, could opt for a different path: relocation to a neutral venue, which would preserve the January 2027 timeline and deny Iran the breathing room it needs. Or the conflict could escalate further, leading to outright cancellation and a far more chaotic scramble.

But the most probable outcome, as multiple outlets have reported, is postponement. And if that happens, FFIRI will have no excuse. The federation's board members who sat in silence as Ghalenoei delivered his ten-minute monologue will have a full year to find their voices. The question is whether they will use it to ask the questions they should have asked long ago—or whether they will simply allow the cycle of impunity to continue, one postponed tournament at a time.

For the sake of Iranian football, they must choose the former. The missiles in Riyadh are a tragedy for the region. But for Team Melli, they may be the unlikely catalyst for a change that should have happened months ago.

No Questions Asked, No Accountability Demanded: How FFIRI's Culture of Impunity Enabled Ghalenoei's Unchecked Reign

Amir Ghalenoei's own words have exposed the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) as an institution where oversight is a fiction, accountability is absent, and the national team coach operates with a level of impunity that should alarm every Iranian football fan.

In a statement to the press following the FFIRI board meeting on October 13, Ghalenoei revealed a level of institutional dysfunction that borders on the surreal. "I explained and spoke for ten minutes during the meeting, but I swear to God, not a single person asked a question," he said. "I am available to address any concerns, but since no one raised a question, we simply left the meeting." He further added: "I made no promises whatsoever about winning the championship during that meeting. None of the board members asked me even the slightest question."

This is not a minor procedural anecdote. It is a damning indictment of a governance structure that has abdicated its most fundamental responsibility: to scrutinize, challenge, and hold accountable those entrusted with the nation's footballing fortunes. When the coach himself—a man with a vested interest in presenting board meetings as collegial and uneventful—openly admits that no board member posed a single question about the national team's strategy, preparations, or performance targets, the conclusion is unavoidable: FFIRI's board has become a rubber stamp, and Ghalenoei knows it.

The Structural Rot Beneath the Surface

Ghalenoei's remarks did not emerge in a vacuum. They are the logical product of an institutional culture that has systematically dismantled meaningful oversight over years.

Since Mehdi Taj's return to the federation presidency in 2023—an election held under the direct intervention of security institutions to approve or disqualify candidates—the federation's governance has been marked by opacity, factionalism, and a persistent refusal to subject decision-making to genuine scrutiny. IranWire's investigation into the federation's power network revealed that documents leaked in 2022 following the hacking of Fars News Agency detailed Taj's coordination with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and his commitments prior to returning to the presidency. These are not incidental facts. They describe a federation whose leadership answers to forces far removed from the sporting mandate it is supposed to serve.

The composition of the current board itself reflects this reality. The board members who sat in silence as Ghalenoei delivered his ten-minute monologue include individuals who have themselves been at the center of financial and ethical controversies. The 2023 election brought in figures like Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, Heydar Baharvand, and Farideh Shojaei as vice presidents, while the seven-member board includes Hojjat Karimi, Ali Taheri, and Ali Khatir—names that have since become synonymous with the internal warfare consuming the federation.

This is the same Hojjat Karimi whom Ghalenoei referenced in his statement. "It is interesting to note that Hojjat Karimi—a member of the federation's board—is a friend of ours, yet the only point he endorsed during the meeting was his own remarks." Ghalenoei's tone here is telling: he speaks of a board member's silence not with concern but with something approaching satisfaction. The absence of challenge has become normalized.

The Contract That Nobody Questioned

The most damning illustration of FFIRI's failure of oversight is not what Ghalenoei said in the board meeting, but what the board failed to scrutinize beforehand.

Ghalenoei's contract was extended through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup despite Iran's deeply disappointing World Cup campaign, in which Team Melli drew all three group matches against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt, finishing third and failing to reach the knockout stage of the expanded 48-team tournament. The decision to extend the contract of a coach who had just overseen the national team's exit from the World Cup's group stage—without a single victory—would have been contentious in any federation with functioning oversight mechanisms.

But the circumstances surrounding the extension are even more extraordinary. According to Shahraranews, Ghalenoei submitted a blank contract—a سفیدامضا—to the federation, leaving the financial terms entirely unspecified and at the discretion of FFIRI. The federation's spokesperson, Amirmehdi Alavi, framed this as evidence of Ghalenoei's commitment to the national team over financial gain. But from a governance perspective, this arrangement is deeply troubling. A blank contract means the federation has accepted an open-ended commitment with no defined financial parameters, no performance benchmarks tied to compensation, and no safeguards for public funds.

This is precisely the kind of arrangement that a functioning board of directors would scrutinize. Yet not a single question was asked.

A Board That Fights in Public but Abdicates in Private

The absurdity of the board's passivity in formal meetings becomes even more glaring when set against its behavior outside them. In September 2026, two board members—Ali Khatir and Hojjat Karimi—engaged in a televised verbal brawl on the program Football Bartar, trading accusations that included allegations of brokerage, financial irregularities, a $20,000 payment to Godwin Mensha, €350,000 linked to Antonio Gagliardi, and even Khatir's own eligibility to serve on the board. The dispute began with disagreement over Ghalenoei's contract extension and escalated into threats of legal action and personal attacks.

Karimi claimed during the broadcast that board members had initially opposed the four-year contract extension for Ghalenoei, but that Taj's intervention changed their position—and that Khatir, who had been opposed, eventually agreed and even traveled with the national team. If Karimi's account is accurate, it describes a decision-making process in which the board's initial opposition was overridden by the president's will, and where a member's reversal of position was attributed to personal benefit rather than principle.

So we have a board that cannot agree on fundamental decisions in private, cannot formulate a single question for the national team coach in a formal meeting, yet is perfectly willing to air its grievances and accusations on live television. This is not oversight. This is theater.

The Consequences of Impunity

The direct consequence of this governance vacuum is that Ghalenoei operates without meaningful constraints. His statement to the press—delivered with the casual confidence of a man who knows he will face no institutional challenge—reveals a coach who understands that his position is secure regardless of results. He can speak for ten minutes, leave the meeting, and face no follow-up questions. He can make no promises about winning the championship, and no one will hold him to any standard of achievement.

This impunity has consequences beyond Ghalenoei himself. The national team's preparation has been criticized as inadequate, with domestic analysts noting that the federation's silence and poor logistical arrangements have placed the coach under mounting pressure even as it refuses to provide the institutional support that would relieve it. The federation's own newspaper published a glowing, sycophantic profile of Ghalenoei under the headline "The Plan to Conquer Asia on the Coach's Desk"—a piece described by critics as "completely supportive and detached from existing realities".

Meanwhile, the federation faces serious allegations of financial mismanagement. Iran International reported that the federation's disciplinary committee collected over 138 billion tomans in fines from clubs, players, and coaches over just seven months. An investigative journalist announced that indictments on embezzlement charges had been issued for several senior federation officials. And FIFA's official data shows that while over $5.2 million in committed resources are registered for Iranian football development projects, the figures for "national team support" and "competitions" are listed as zero.

The Question Nobody Is Asking

Ghalenoei's statement should be read not merely as a description of a single board meeting, but as a window into the entire architecture of Iranian football governance. The question is not why the board failed to ask Ghalenoei about his plans. The question is what purpose the board serves at all.

When a federation's highest decision-making body cannot formulate a single question for the person responsible for the most visible manifestation of Iranian football on the international stage, it has ceased to function as a governing institution. When a coach can publicly boast of this failure—and frame it as evidence of his own transparency and availability—the culture of impunity has become so entrenched that it no longer even attempts to disguise itself.

Amir Ghalenoei's unbroken silence in the face of scrutiny is not a personal failing alone. It is the predictable outcome of a system that has systematically eliminated the mechanisms by which accountability might be enforced. The board that asked no questions will bear the consequences when the answers that were never demanded become impossible to ignore.

Golmohammadi Edges Closer to Iran U-23 Job as Taj Negotiations Reach Critical Stage

A preliminary agreement has been reached in negotiations between Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) President Mehdi Taj and Yahya Golmohammadi over the latter taking charge of Iran’s U-23 (Omid) national football team, according to Mehr News Agency. After several rounds of talks, the two sides have established an initial understanding, and Taj has signaled that the negotiations are nearing a final outcome, with details of the collaboration expected to be announced soon.

The talks are centered not only on the appointment itself but also on the conditions Golmohammadi believes are necessary to build a competitive team. The federation president is now expected to address the coach’s requirements directly, overseeing efforts to create the environment needed for the prospective head coach’s plans. According to the latest discussions, a significant portion of the negotiations involves reviewing Golmohammadi’s requests and securing the resources he deems essential.

Two key issues remain; the duration of the partnership and the scope of Golmohammadi’s authority in planning for the U-23 side. The agreement under discussion reportedly envisions a long-term collaboration extending to 2028, a framework that, if finalized, could give Iran a sustained opportunity to pursue Olympic qualification. For Iranian football, ending the long wait for an Olympic return would be a major achievement, and a long-term mandate would allow the coach to plan across qualifying cycles rather than operate on a short-term basis.

However, a definitive contract has not yet been signed. Financial matters, details regarding training camps, and the team’s required facilities still need to be settled in the final stages of negotiation. These issues could prove decisive, as they will shape the working conditions and resources available to the U-23 program.

Another significant hurdle is Golmohammadi’s current contract with the Iraqi club Duhok. The federation must facilitate the terms of his departure from the club. Although his exit from the Iraqi side is not believed to pose an obstacle to an agreement over the U-23 role, it remains a logistical and contractual matter that must be resolved before any final deal can be completed.

The next step will involve the federation’s board of directors, which is scheduled to meet next week. Taj is expected to present his final choice for the U-23 coaching position. It remains to be seen whether Taj and Golmohammadi will reach a final agreement during the ongoing negotiations—with the former Persepolis head coach taking charge of the U-23 team—or whether disagreements over the terms of cooperation will steer the federation in a different direction. If the latter occurs, the federation president’s final selection could be delayed, leaving the U-23 project in a state of uncertainty.

For now, the talks appear to be progressing, but the coming days will determine whether a preliminary understanding can be converted into a formal and workable partnership.

For decades, Iran’s Olympic football team—commonly known as the Omid team—has endured a long trail of failures at various levels of competition. Despite appointing reputable foreign coaches, providing full support, and securing the backing of Iran’s National Olympic Committee, the team has failed to qualify for the Olympic Games since 1980. Its most recent campaign also ended in failure at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, where the side coached by Hossein Abdi failed even to advance from the group stage. That early exit added another chapter to the Omid team’s prolonged struggle and underscored the scale of the challenge facing any coach—including Golmohammadi—who hopes to revive Iran’s Olympic qualification hopes.

The Unpopularity of Amir Ghalenoei: A Symptom of Deeper Malaise at Team Melli

  • Dysfunctional federation
  • FFIRI needs to learn from Iran's Volleyball Federation.
  • Lack of achievements and trophies is becoming institutional in Iran's football.

A Coach Without Charisma or Credibility

To describe Amir Ghalenoei as the least popular Team Melli coach in recent history would probably be an understatement. His unpopularity stems not only from his technical and tactical shortcomings and his failure to get the best out of his players, but also from his character and charisma—or rather, the lack of them. Add to that a rhetoric and a set of statements that hardly reflect reality, and you have a recipe for deepening resentment among a large segment of fans and media alike.

Where previous coaches, even unpopular ones, could at least command a measure of respect through results or presence, Ghalenoei inspires neither. His public pronouncements often ring hollow, his tactical decisions raise more questions than they answer, and his inability to extract consistent performances from a squad containing genuine talent has left supporters frustrated and disillusioned. The result is a coach who has become a lightning rod for criticism—not merely for what he does, but for how he carries himself while doing it.

The Loyalty of Mehdi Taj: A Fatal Alliance

Yet Ghalenoei retains the backing of his partner in crime, Mehdi Taj. For reasons that remain unclear, the FFIRI chief appears to believe in him blindly, despite his limited capabilities. This unwavering support, in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary, has become one of the most perplexing features of Iranian football governance.

This is precisely what leads many pundits to conclude that Team Melli's problems are, in fact, of Mehdi Taj's making—and that with an incompetent FFIRI at the helm, the fortunes of the national team are unlikely to improve. The relationship between the two men has become symbiotic: Ghalenoei depends on Taj for his position, while Taj appears to depend on Ghalenoei for reasons that defy rational explanation. Until this alliance is broken, the national team seems condemned to stagnation.

The Search for Alternatives

Recently, some media outlets have begun discussing possible alternatives to Ghalenoei. While many believe a change would come too late, with less than 100 days until the AFC Asian Cup 2027 kicks off, many others argue that it could hardly be worse than what Ghalenoei is currently offering. The logic is simple: if the team is already underperforming, what is there to lose by trying something different?

Names such as Alireza Mansourian, Yahya Golmohammadi, and Farhad Majidi have been floated as replacements. Frankly speaking, none represents a major upgrade in terms of pedigree or proven track record. Yet a change of mentality and attitude could still benefit the team, freeing the squad from its attachment to older, incapable players who have consistently underperformed. Sometimes, the argument goes, the identity of the new coach matters less than the willingness to make difficult decisions that the incumbent has consistently avoided.

The Case for a Youth Revolution

These younger coaches would have no emotional attachments to the likes of Hajsafi, Jahanbakhsh, Khalilzadeh, or Taremi—all of whom belong on the retirement list—and might be willing to inject new names and revolutionize the team, much as Mohammad Mayeli-Kohan did at the 1996 Asian Cup.

Mayeli-Kohan, a young coach for his time, broke every taboo and produced a team that could have lifted the Asian Cup 1996 for the first time since the revolution. He introduced the likes of Mehdi Mahdavikia, Mehdi Pashazadeh, and Alireza Mansourian, and built a solid team around Ali Daei, Karim Bagheri, Khodadad Azizi, and Ahmadreza Abedzadeh—a side that humiliated the powerful South Koreans 6-2 and defeated the eventual champions, Saudi Arabia, 3-0. It was a team that played with courage, imagination, and a fearlessness that has been conspicuously absent from recent iterations of Team Melli.

Perhaps an option like Mayeli-Kohan is not available today. But there is no solid reason why one of the aforementioned names could not do something similar. What is required is not a miracle worker, but a coach with the courage to make unpopular decisions, the vision to identify emerging talent, and the conviction to build a team around it rather than around reputations and past glories.

The Foreign Coach Solution

Many observers agree that, for the long run, Team Melli needs a competent foreign coach to return to its glory days. The Iranian Volleyball Federation offers a prime example of a progressive and competent governing body that recognized the limitations of domestic coaches. By bringing in foreigners starting from 2011 Julio Velasco to the current Roberto Piazza, it has elevated Iran's volleyball to world level.

From the Asian Games 2010 to 2026 , Iran's volleyball won 1 silver medal in 2011 and then 4 consecutive gold medals as of today. What is Iran's football federation's achievement in the same period ?

The contrast with football could not be starker. While volleyball has embraced international expertise and reaped the rewards, football has remained trapped in a cycle of insularity, recycling the same domestic names regardless of their demonstrated limitations. The argument for a foreign coach is not an indictment of Iranian coaching talent per se, but a recognition that fresh perspectives, different methodologies, and freedom from domestic political entanglements are essential for genuine progress.

Conclusion: A Federation Without Vision

Until Iranian football's administrators show the same vision and courage as their volleyball counterparts, Team Melli seems destined to remain trapped in a cycle of mediocrity, hostage to the whims of an unpopular coach and the blind loyalty of those who keep him in place. The problem, in the end, is not merely Ghalenoei, t is the system that sustains him, the federation that refuses to hold him accountable, and the broader culture of complacency that has come to define Iranian football governance. Change, if it comes, must start at the top.

Iran Football Federation Legal Chief: $20,000 Bonus Case Is Preliminary, Funds Were Returned

Several media outlets have reported that the judiciary has summoned several Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) managers and personnel over alleged embezzlement and misappropriation of government funds. The dispute concerns bonuses of about US$20,000 per person awarded to FFIRI managers after Iran qualified for the 2022 World Cup. The funds were intended to support FFIRI activities, including grassroots football development and daily expenses; instead, reports allege, they ended up in the pockets of federation president Mehdi Taj, his deputy Mohammad Nabi, and several other officials and board members. Mehr News Agency questioned the FFIRI and sought clarification.

It is worth noting that the bulk of the FFIRI’s expenses comes in the form of government handouts intended to sustain the operation of football activities—a fact that makes questions about the classification, oversight, and disbursement of such funds particularly sensitive.

“Case remains preliminary”

In response to the issuance of an indictment against Mehdi Taj and certain former members of the Board of Directors, the head of the Football Federation’s legal department stressed that the case remains at a preliminary stage.

According to a Mehr News Agency reporter, Mohammad-Ali Ghoddousi addressed the controversy surrounding the indictment of the federation president and former board members, saying: “Regarding the reports published in the mass media concerning the indictment of football officials and figures associated with the Federation, I feel it is necessary to highlight a few points.”

He continued: “The first and most obvious point is this: how does the media proceed to publish news about this matter before the individuals and stakeholders involved have even been formally notified? In other words, while the football officials have received no official or legal notice regarding the case, reports that an indictment has been issued are already circulating in the media. This matter warrants serious consideration.”

Legal status of the FFIRI

Referring to the Federation’s legal status, Ghoddousi stated: “Another significant point concerns the legal status of the Football Federation. The Federation is a non-governmental organization; based on the binding precedents set by the General Board of the Court of Administrative Justice, it falls outside the scope of executive agencies and public non-governmental institutions, and is recognized as a non-governmental institution with an independent legal personality.” He added that this distinction is important for the fundamental nature and legal consequences associated with the operations of the FFIRI and its officials.

The $20,000 bonus

Elaborating on the details, he said: “The sole issue in this case—and I emphasize, solely and exclusively—concerns the $20,000 bonus awarded to the Football Federation’s Board of Directors members. Following the successful qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the then-senior official at the Ministry of Sport and Youth had allocated this sum to the Board members in recognition of their services and as a reward.”

The head of the FFIRI legal department continued: “All administrative and legal procedures regarding this matter within the Football Federation, a non-governmental entity, including the preparation of financial statements, the Board’s resolution, and the General Assembly’s approval, were carried out with precision, clarity, and transparency.”

Return of funds

Ghodousi clarified: “Despite all this, due to objections raised by the General Inspection Organization—and the subsequent complaint filed with the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office alleging that the Board members could not receive these funds because they were in a position of conflict of interest—the members proceeded to return the exact amount received to the originating account. They did so out of an abundance of caution and to absolve themselves of any potential accusations; thus, the matter is fully resolved in this regard.”

Indictment is preliminary

Regarding the issuance of an indictment, he added: “However, the complaint filed by the General Inspection Organization has—apparently, and I emphasize apparently, based on media reports—resulted in the issuance of an indictment.” Ghoddousi continued: “Naturally, an indictment is a decision that commands respect but is entirely preliminary; it is subject to review at the trial stage—specifically in Criminal Court No. 2—and, like other legal cases and complaints, is open to adjudication in both the court of first instance and the court of appeal. Therefore, for the time being, the matter has—apparently—only reached the stage of indictment issuance within the prosecutor’s office.”

Which law applies?

Addressing the legal basis of the case, the head of the FFIRI legal department remarked: “It appears that when the law is cited in this interview, one must ask: which law? The specific law is not identified. We ought to ask the interviewee: ‘Are you well-versed in the law—specifically the law pertaining to this matter?’”

He added: “If the reference is to Note 5 of Article 5 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Perpetrators of Embezzlement, Bribery, and Fraud, I must point out that this note applies to government organizations or institutions managed with continuous state aid; furthermore, Note 5 specifically employs the term ‘Minister.’”

Ghoddousi continued: “This implies that the provision applies to a government employee. Moreover, I emphasize that under Note 5, the Minister may act—meaning the necessary authority is granted to the Minister—yet the Minister is under no obligation to do so.” He clarified: “However, given the Football Federation’s legal status as a non-governmental institution—falling outside the scope of executive agencies or public non-governmental bodies—it appears that this provision and its subject matter should not, and cannot, extend to the Football Federation or its officials.”

Concluding the first part of his remarks, he said: “I remain at the service of the dear people of Iran. Good day.”

Audit and ethics findings

Continuing, Ghodousi noted: “There is another important point I must raise: the State Audit Court has examined the matter and, based on legal grounds and reasoning, found no evidence of any violation.” He added: “Similarly, the Football Federation’s Ethics Committee investigated the issue and, finding no violation, issued a ruling of acquittal.”

It also bears mentioning that the FFIRI—at least as a matter of ethics and transparency—has never publicly disclosed this case at any point since 2022. It was investigative journalism that brought the matter to light, which raises the question of why the FFIRI and its legal department failed to disclose both the incident and the subsequent investigation.

Iran’s U17 Volleyball Triumph: A Model of Success That Football Would Do Well to Study

On Saturday, Iran’s U17 volleyball team clinched the world title in Doha, defeating their French counterparts to complete a remarkable sweep of age‑group world championships. This latest achievement adds yet another glittering accolade to Iran’s volleyball legacy—and reaffirms the sport’s status as the country’s most successful athletic federation since the 1979 Revolution.

Once considered a respectable but mid‑to‑lower‑ranked volleyball nation in Asia, Iran has now firmly established itself among the global elite. Its senior team has competed in the prestigious Nations League for a decade, consistently holding its own against the world’s best. This trajectory from regional obscurity to world‑class standing is a testament to strategic vision, sound management, and relentless grassroots development.

Yet, against this backdrop of triumph, one cannot help but ask a troubling question: Why has this extraordinary success—at all levels, in management, infrastructure, and on‑court performance—not been replicated by other federations, especially those enjoying far greater government financial support?

The glaring example is the Iranian football federation. Since the revolution, it has been mired in a cycle of disappointment and underachievement. Led largely by individuals who have lacked the acumen, drive, and strategic foresight to elevate Iran’s football, the federation has repeatedly fallen short on both domestic and international stages. While a comprehensive analysis of the volleyball federation’s decades‑long work is beyond the scope of this article, a simple comparison of outcomes speaks volumes: the Iran Volleyball Federation (IRIVF) has delivered world‑class results on a fraction of the budget allocated to its football counterpart (FFIRI).

To understand this disparity, one must look at the bigger picture—and it starts at the top. Volleyball has consistently been steered by competent, skilled managers who have devised and adhered to long‑term strategies since the mid‑1980s. Today, those plans are bearing fruit, but the foundation was laid years ago through patience, discipline, and a clear sense of purpose.

The Financial Factor

Football in Iran generates enormous revenue. Clubs are heavily subsidised by the state, yet financial oversight is weak and auditing is often superficial. Money flows freely, but it is frequently wasted—or worse, embezzled. This is the result of an unspoken pact between negligent club officials and complacent government bodies, each profiting from opaque transactions while the sport itself stagnates.

Volleyball, in contrast, has never been a magnet for quick‑money schemes. Until recently, the sport operated on modest budgets; only with the arrival of corporate backing—notably from telecommunications companies—has the federation’s financial position improved. Agents and intermediaries have little influence over policy or selection, and there are few opportunities for unscrupulous individuals to exploit the system for personal gain. This is not to suggest that volleyball is entirely free of misconduct, but the federation’s consistent record of regional, continental, and world success insulates it from the chaotic and corrupt practices that plague football.

Coaching Excellence

One of volleyball’s greatest strengths is its ability to produce a steady stream of accomplished Iranian coaches. This is no accident. It is the outcome of a deliberate, phased process: top‑quality players, upon retirement, enter coaching programmes that emphasise proper training, certification, and incremental experience—starting with junior club sides and progressing through various levels before taking charge of the national team.

Compare this with football, where a player can hang up his boots one day and take over a league club the next. There is a pervasive belief that expensive European coaching courses are unnecessary for managing in Iran’s top flight. This “fast‑lane” mentality explains why volleyball has cultivated a superb grassroots foundation while football languishes as a third‑tier nation in Asia at youth levels.

The Media’s Double‑Edged Sword

Despite modest media coverage overall, volleyball has managed to double or even triple its popular support in Iran through consistent planning, grassroots engagement, international exposure, and prudent spending. Yet, the country’s sporting media remains overwhelmingly fixated on the two Tehran giants, Persepolis and Esteghlal. Almost every news report references these clubs, creating a bipolar media landscape that leaves little room for other sports.

For volleyball, however, this relative neglect has been a blessing in disguise. Without the intense rivalries and controversies that fuel football’s headlines, the sport enjoys an immunity from the venomous media battles that often distract and destabilise. There is no “Esteghlal versus Persepolis” equivalent in volleyball—and that absence of constant conflict allows the sport to focus on what truly matters: performance and development.

Rising Popularity Among the Youth

Iran’s volleyball success has had a profound impact on the younger generation. Increasingly, young athletes are choosing volleyball over football when it comes to team sports. The sight of so many Iranian volleyball players securing contracts in Europe and other leading leagues serves as powerful inspiration. More regional clubs are embracing volleyball, and they are consistently producing high‑quality players across all age groups—especially at the grassroots level. This virtuous cycle reinforces the sport’s growth and ensures a bright future.

Conclusion

One can only hope that the football federation will learn from volleyball’s exemplary model of sustained achievement. The lessons are there: visionary leadership, financial discipline, rigorous coaching development, and insulation from counterproductive media sensationalism. Realistically, however, such hope may be wishful thinking. Volleyball’s success is no accident—it is the product of decades of hard work, integrity, and intelligent planning. Whether football can summon the will to follow suit remains to be seen, but the blueprint is clear for all to examine.

Amir Ghalenoei

Ghalenoei's contract officially extended.

The board of directors of the Football Federation (FFIRI) held a meeting today, Wednesday, in the presence of Amir Ghalenoei. The board decided to extend the contract of the head coach until the end of the Asian Cup.

Ghalenoei presented a master plan in this meeting entitled the roadmap for preparing the national team for the Asian Cup 2027.

The 19th Asian Cup will be hosted by Saudi Arabia from January 7 to February 5, 2027 . Under Ghalenoei, Team Melli's last participation in 2023 was elimination in the semi-final after the loss to Qatar.

Iran to meet Uzbekistan on FIFA day

Tashkent, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan's national football team will play a series of friendly matches during the upcoming FIFA international window as head coach Fabio Cannavaro continues rebuilding the squad following the country's World Cup debut, the UFA said in a statement.

The Uzbeks are set to face Iran on September 24, with the original schedule naming Fergana's Istiqlol Stadium as the venue, though some regional outlets have more recently reported the match will instead be staged in Tashkent. The Uzbekistan Football Association had been negotiating with Iran's federation over a friendly for weeks, with the fixture only added to the calendar once both sides agreed on the date, organizational terms and venue.

The match continues one of Uzbekistan's most heated regional rivalries. Uzbekistan and Iran were drawn in the same group during 2026 World Cup qualifying, producing tightly contested meetings, including a goalless draw in Tashkent in October 2024. The sides also met twice in the buildup to the tournament, playing to a 2-2 draw in Tehran in March 2025 and a penalty-shootout draw in the United Arab Emirates last November.

On the Iranian side, federation head Mehdi Taj has said his team is scheduling three matches during the September window, one of them against an Asian side that competed at the World Cup — most likely Uzbekistan — alongside a game against Russia and a fixture against a yet-to-be-confirmed European opponent. Taj noted that Iran's federation was determined not to repeat the mistake of skipping high-level friendlies before this year's World Cup, and wants a more rigorous preparation cycle going forward.

For Cannavaro, the Iran match is part of a broader effort to evaluate his squad after Uzbekistan's difficult run at its first-ever World Cup, where the team lost all three group matches, falling to Colombia 3-1, Portugal 5-0 and DR Congo 3-1. One bright spot from the tournament was captain Eldor Shomurodov, whose goal against DR Congo was recognized by FIFA as one of the two best strikes of the World Cup.

Cannavaro has said he intends to use the coming friendlies to rejuvenate the squad, prioritizing players in strong current form over reputation, and to shift the team's tactical setup to a 4-3-3 system. The Iran game is expected to be just the opening test in a packed autumn schedule. Uzbekistan is also finalizing a friendly against Russia, provisionally set for September in Nizhny Novgorod, while a high-profile meeting with Argentina is being planned for September 30 in China, followed by a clash with South Korea on October 6.

Should the Argentina fixture be confirmed, it would rank among Uzbekistan's most high-profile friendlies in years, testing Cannavaro's squad against elite opposition on pace, pressure and individual quality.

The match against Iran will serve as a friendly fixture for the Uzbekistan national team during the upcoming FIFA days. Team Melli will then travel to Kazan, Russia, for another friendly match against Russia.
Both Iran and Uzbekistan played in the FIFA World Cup 2026, with neither of them being able to qualify from their group in the 48-team tournament.

Team Melli's Coaching Future: A Shift in Federation Dynamics

The Evolving Equation of Iran's National Team Bench

The complex calculations surrounding Team Melli's technical leadership have crystallized into a new phase in recent days, as the Football Federation of Iran's (FFIRI) board of directors experiences a notable recalibration of positions. Several board members who previously stood firmly against extending Amir Ghalenoei's contract have now reconsidered their stance, marking a significant development in the ongoing saga of the national team's coaching future.

This transformation in perspective gained momentum following extensive consultations and strategic discussions that have dominated the board's agenda over the past week. The extension of the senior national team head coach's contract has emerged as perhaps the most consequential item among their deliberations, with the issue commanding considerable attention and debate.

The Gradual Shift in Decision-Making Dynamics

The outcome of these intensive consultations has been a gradual yet discernible evolution in the board's decision-making climate. Those who once comprised the opposition faction have increasingly aligned themselves with the continuity camp, advancing the argument that technical stability serves as a crucial prerequisite for the national team's aspirations in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, scheduled to be hosted by Saudi Arabia.

The prevailing sentiment among this reconfigured group suggests that maintaining the existing technical structure would provide the team with the consistency and institutional memory necessary to mount a serious challenge for continental honors. This reasoning appears to have resonated sufficiently to bridge the previously entrenched divisions within the federation's leadership.

An Atmosphere of Anticipation

While no official pronouncement regarding the national team bench's future has materialized, the federation's internal environment has undergone a palpable transformation compared to the tensions of previous weeks. The balance of influence has demonstrably tilted in favor of retaining the incumbent coach through the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 campaign in Saudi Arabia.

Should this trajectory persist, it would effectively eliminate any substantive discussion regarding technical staff changes from the federation's agenda, at least until the tournament's completion. Such an outcome would represent a decisive victory for the pro-continuity faction and would establish a clear pathway for the team's preparation cycle.

The Shadow of Political Maneuvering

This apparent leaning toward Ghalenoei's retention has not escaped the scrutiny of observers, many of whom attribute the shift to political calculations and strategic maneuvering rather than an objective assessment of merit and technical competency. These influences, according to analysts, now permeate the corridors of the FFIRI with increasing intensity.

The political dimensions of this decision cannot be understated, as they intersect with broader power dynamics within Iranian football governance. The federation's deliberations appear to reflect considerations that extend beyond purely sporting criteria, raising questions about the decision-making processes that determine the national team's technical direction.

A Record of Unfulfilled Expectations

The context of this shift is particularly noteworthy given Ghalenoei's recent record with Team Melli. Under his stewardship, the national team experienced disappointment at the last AFC Asian Cup, failing to meet the elevated expectations that traditionally accompany Iran's participation in the continent's premier competition.

Furthermore, the team's campaign in the FIFA World Cup 2026 proved equally challenging, as Iran was unable to secure qualification from the group stage and failed to register a single victory throughout the tournament. These results have cast a long shadow over Ghalenoei's tenure and have fueled skepticism regarding his capacity to deliver the continental success that has eluded Iranian football for five decades.

The Verdict of Public Opinion

The reaction on social media platforms has been overwhelmingly critical, with users directing sharp commentary toward both Ghalenoei and his squad. This digital discontent reflects a broader sentiment among the fan base, many of whom harbor deep reservations about the team's prospects of ending the nation's 50-year Asian Cup drought under the current technical leadership.

The disconnect between the federation's apparent inclination and the grassroots sentiment underscores the challenging environment in which Iranian football operates. The divergence between institutional decision-making and public opinion has become increasingly pronounced, creating tensions that may prove difficult to reconcile as the Asian Cup approaches.

The Road Ahead

As the FFIRI board continues its deliberations, the decision regarding Ghalenoei's future will carry implications that extend far beyond the technical staff appointment itself. The choice will signal the federation's strategic direction, its responsiveness to public sentiment, and its commitment to performance-based evaluation versus other considerations.

The coming days will likely prove decisive in determining whether the current trend toward continuity solidifies into official policy or whether a last-minute reversal introduces yet another twist in this unfolding narrative. Whatever the outcome, the decision will shape the trajectory of Iranian football as it prepares for one of its most significant challenges in recent years.

This article is based on developments within the Football Federation of Iran and reflects the evolving situation regarding the national team's technical leadership as of the date of publication.

The Unfulfilled Dream and the Looming Challenge: Team Melli at a Crossroads

Team Melli’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in bitter disappointment, despite widespread expectations that the expanded 48-team format would finally pave the way for a historic group-stage breakthrough. With twelve groups and an increased knockout berth allocation, the barrier to reaching the Round of 32 had ostensibly never been lower. Yet, three consecutive stalemates—a gritty but goalless draw against New Zealand, a resilient but ultimately fruitless point against Belgium, and a tightly contested tie with Egypt- proved to be Iran’s undoing. In a group where wins were imperative, these draws left the team stranded, falling agonizingly short of securing a spot among the world’s top 32.

In the immediate aftermath, the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) published two separate assessment reports on its official platform. These documents served a dual purpose: they candidly acknowledged that the national team had fallen short of its pre-tournament objectives, while simultaneously pivoting the narrative toward the future—specifically, the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027. While such transparency is commendable on paper, the reports have done little to quell the growing unease among fans and pundits regarding the federation’s capacity to deliver tangible results.

As Team Melli now pivots its preparations toward the Asian Cup, the FFIRI has publicly declared an unequivocal ambition: to reach the final and lift the continental trophy for the first time since 1976. However, when measured against the current trajectory of the squad, the stagnation of the coaching philosophy, and the persistent managerial volatility, this goal appears more aspirational than achievable. The hard truth is that ambition, unaccompanied by structural reform, remains hollow rhetoric.

Looking back at the 2023 Asian Cup (held in early 2024) offers a stark point of contrast. At that tournament, Iran boasted a younger, more energetic core—a side capable of high-intensity transitions and resilient defensive work. Despite shaky group-stage performances against Hong Kong and Syria in the knock-out stage, where the team looked vulnerable and disjointed, they rose to the occasion in the quarter-finals. The dramatic, hard-fought victory over Japan, their perennial tormentor in recent decades, was undoubtedly the high-water mark of the campaign, exorcising deep-seated psychological barriers and igniting hopes of a long-awaited final berth. Yet, having scaled that monumental peak, the team suffered a catastrophic letdown against Qatar in the semi-finals, squandering a golden opportunity and extending Iran’s agonizing wait for a continental final appearance to more than half a century.

Fast-forward to the present, and the grim arithmetic is undeniable. How can a squad that was palpably younger and more dynamic just four years ago—now with its star veterans well into their thirties and physically declining—suddenly rediscover the legs and intensity required to conquer Asia? More pressingly, how can the same tactical blueprint, administered by the same coaching staff that oddly perceives the 2026 World Cup performance as a moral achievement, magically transform into a championship-winning formula? The insistence on defensive conservatism, a lack of creative midfield fluidity, and an over-reliance on aging individual brilliance rather than collective tactical evolution have rendered the team predictable and stagnant.

It is constructive for the Football Federation to speak openly about its aspirations, but its directors must internalize a fundamental principle: declaring a goal does not actualize it. To bridge the chasm between ambition and execution, the FFIRI must urgently conduct a rigorous, top-to-bottom gap analysis. This requires an aggressive, no-nonsense review of the entire footballing pyramid—from youth development pipelines to senior squad selection. Specifically, the federation must scrutinize preparation protocols, set-piece efficiency, physical conditioning regimes, and, most critically, the tactical flexibility of the coaching unit.

Currently, the federation’s proposed remedy is woefully vague. Promises of holding training camps in East and West Asia, devoid of specific opponents, logistical clarity, or strategic intent, inspire little confidence. In the modern competitive landscape, where rivals like Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Saudi Arabia are meticulously fine-tuning their systems with high-quality friendlies and data-driven methodologies, Iran cannot afford to rely on nebulous planning.

The bottom line is that in contemporary football, self-congratulation and hollow talking points are irrelevant currencies. At this juncture, with the current roster composition and an uninspired technical bench, the dream of reaching the Asian Cup final remains just that, a dream steeped in wishful thinking. The countdown is merciless. With barely six months remaining until the tournament kicks off in Saudi Arabia, the margin for error has completely evaporated. The FFIRI must move beyond rhetoric, embrace uncomfortable reforms, and act decisively—or risk watching yet another generation of talent squander its legacy on the continental stage.