Tag: Mehdi Tai

Team Melli changes the American-based camp to Mexico.

The Iranian national team will move its World Cup base camp to Mexico, according to a statement from Iran’s soccer federation president, Medhi Taj. The shift in location comes amid the ongoing war with the U.S. and related security concerns.

Iran was slated to train at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Ariz., a location they decided on in mid-February before the regional conflict began; however, the country will now train out of Tijuana, a Mexican border city that is less than an hour flight to Los Angeles, where Iran will play its first Group G matches against New Zealand on June 15 and Belgium on June 21.

Tijuana is of similar distance to Seattle as Tucson would have been, with Seattle Stadium the final site of group play for Iran, facing off against Egypt on June 26.

“All team base camps for the countries participating in the World Cup must be approved by FIFA,” Taj said.

“Fortunately, following the requests we submitted and the meetings we held with FIFA and World Cup officials in Istanbul, as well as the webinar meeting we had on Friday in Tehran with the respected FIFA secretary general [Mattias Grafström], our request to change the team’s base from the United States to Mexico was approved,” he added, although FIFA has yet to confirm the move publicly.

“We will be based in the Tijuana camp, which is near the Pacific Ocean and on the border between Mexico and the United States, but within Mexican territory. The contract will be finalized, and there are no issues, as it has already been approved by FIFA.”

The question and capacity of Iran’s participation in the World Cup has loomed since late February, when World Cup co-host U.S. first launched its aggression, killing over 100 students in a girls’ school in Minab.

Directly after the initial airstrikes, Iran put their World Cup participation in question. “What is certain is that after this attack, we cannot be expected to look forward to the World Cup with hope,” Taj told the Iranian sports outlet Varzesh3.

Iran was then the only country not present the following week for FIFA’s three-day event in Atlanta to review the logistics of the tournament, an absence which saw U.S. President Donald Trump fuel the fire, stating: “I really don’t care [if Iran participates]. I think Iran is a very badly defeated country. They’re running on fumes.”

While Iran backtracked on some statements regarding the World Cup boycot and with much convincing by FIFA and Gianni Infantino in person, it was finally confirmed that Iran will compete at the 2026 edition. Nevertheless, Iran did try to move its World Cup matches to Mexico following what many interpreted as a veiled threat from Donald Trump to the Iranian delegation. In a pointed remark, the U.S. president declared that while Iran “is welcome to the World Cup, [he] doesn’t really believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety”, a statement in which he made clear that the U.S. government cannot guarantee the safety of Iran’s squad on American soil.

Iran’s request to move its games to Mexico was a logistical undertaking that FIFA President Gianni Infantino outright denied; however, it seems the country and global organization reached some sort of compromise by having the Mexican training base, enabling Iran to fly to and from the U.S. only for matches.

Taj was allowed into Canada but returned back in protest.

May 1 (Reuters) – Iranian soccer federation president Mehdi Taj said Canadian officials cleared him to enter the country for the FIFA Congress, but Iran’s delegation chose to turn back after being held for three hours and questioned at a Toronto airport, Iranian media reported on Friday.

Taj, a former member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said he was questioned by Canadian immigration about his ties to the group, but was ultimately allowed into the country for the pre-World Cup gathering in Vancouver.

Canadian authorities have said members of the IRGC are prohibited from entering the country, which is set to co-host the World Cup from June along with the United States and Mexico.

“We all had visas and were even checked in Turkey. They told us they had questions for you and asked if we were members of the IRGC,” Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim quoted Taj as saying.

“We told them that there are 90 million IRGC members in Iran. They said that we don’t allow people from this organisation in. They said that it is the laws of our country.

“After a while, they said you can enter but we decided to return. They didn’t deport us and we decided to return ourselves… I told the Canadians that you kept us at the airport for three hours, you made us wait for nothing.”

Reuters has contacted Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, which issues visas to travel to the country, for comment.

Taj said FIFA president Gianni Infantino had offered to send a jet to take the Iranian delegation to Canada after they returned to Turkey, but they refused.

“I told the FIFA secretary general (Mattias Grafstrom) that you are intimidated by America and that you say ‘yes sir’ to whatever they say,” he said.

Reuters has reached out to FIFA for comment.

Infantino insisted on Thursday that Iran would play World Cup matches in the United States, despite tensions between the two countries since the U.S. and Israel launched a war against Iran in February. FIFA earlier rejected Tehran’s request for alternative venues for matches on U.S. soil.

“We need to hold a meeting with FIFA officials to ensure that if we are to come to the World Cup, there should be no side issues and controversies for our team,” Taj said about Iran’s participation.

FIFA refuses Iran request to move games to Mexico amid US conflict

FIFA has decided against moving Iran’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico despite the war in the Middle East, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Friday.

Iran requested not to play its three group stage matches in the US, after the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28 in fighting that has only stopped in recent days in a fragile ceasefire, with Washington threatening to continue its attacks.
“FIFA ultimately decided that the matches cannot be moved from their original venues,” Sheinbaum said at a press conference. From FIFA’s perspective, this would have entailed “an enormous logistical effort,” she said.

The world governing body had previously expressed reservations about Iran’s request to move their matches againast Belgium, New Zealand and Egypt at the June 11-July 19 World in the US, Mexico and Canada.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino had been pushing for Iran to take part, despite fraught relations between Tehran and Washington.

“We want Iran to play; and Iran will play in the World Cup. There is no plan B, C or D – there is only plan A,” Infantino told Mexican broadcasters N+ Univision two weeks ago.

Iranian football federation president Mehdi Taj has recently said the team is boycotting the US, but not the World Cup, without providing further details, according state-run news agency IRNA.
US President Donald Trump has said he considers it not “appropriate” for Iran to take part “for their own life and safety”.

Amid the ceasefire, called on Tuesday, talks between the US and Iran on a lasting peace settlement are set to take place in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, as of Friday.

Iran retaliated after the United States and Israel launched the war, including targeting Gulf states and effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum

Mehdi Taj Addresses Team Melli’s World Cup Preparations and AFC Club Competitions

Mehdi Taj, the head of the Football Federation of Iran, has spoken publicly about the current state of Team Melli, the challenges facing the national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, now less than 80 days away, and the ongoing complexities surrounding Iran’s participation in Asian club competitions.

World Cup Venue Uncertainty

Addressing FIFA’s apparent reluctance to approve the relocation of Iran’s 2026 World Cup matches to Mexico, Taj acknowledged the logistical difficulties involved. “Everything requires its own preparations, and delays are inevitable,” he said. “Moving matches to another country brings its own set of complications.” He confirmed that the national team will play two friendlies in Turkey during March, with the players to be announced in due course.

A Call for Passion and Resilience

Taj emphasized that the national team must reflect the spirit and enthusiasm of the Iranian people, particularly given the extraordinary circumstances the nation is enduring. “The passion that the people have must also be visible in the national team,” he stated. “The people who proudly remain present in their fields under bombardment will not accept the Football Federation allowing lethargy or complacency to creep into the national teams.”

On Sardar Azmoun’s Status

Regarding the situation of star striker Sardar Azmoun, following rumors that he had been dismissed from the national team setup, Taj declined to comment on individual cases but stressed the collective identity of the squad. “I will not speak about individuals,” he said. “The national team must represent these people. Ninety percent of the team is already aligned with this principle, particularly our legionnaires and the head coach. This approach will continue to be reinforced.”

(NOTE: Azmoun was excluded from the latest list announced today.)

AFC Club Competition Representatives

Turning to domestic matters, Taj provided an update on Iran’s representatives for next season’s Asian club competitions. “The AFC sent us a letter today requesting that we announce Iran’s representatives for the upcoming Asian Elite League and AFC Champions League 2,” he explained. “We informed them that the Iranian champion has not yet been determined. The league organization has made a decision, which we will announce once it has been approved by the Football Federation.”

“We will pay for Queiroz or Zidane if you want” Iran’s Sports Minister claims!

In a press conference held earlier on, the Minister of Youth and Sports of the Iranian government reiterated his support for any action by the Leaders of the FFIRI.

When asked about his opinion on the current ambiguity and turbulent status of the Head Coach of Team Melli on the brink of competing in the FIFA World Cup 2022, Hamid Sajjadi has this to say:

“I told Majdi that if you hire Queiroz, we will pay for it. Emphasizing that we hope that any decision made about the national team’s bench will be wise, technical, and proper,

Sajjadi continued: “I told Majdi that anyone, including domestic coaches that you think of recruiting as the head coach of Team Melli will be welcomed, I even said that if you want to bring Queiroz back, we will pay the bills and wages, and I said that if you want to bring Zidane, do the necessary formalities and you will not have to worry about the financial issues related to the head coach of the Iranian national football team.”

Sajjadi in response to the question of what is the position of the Ministry of Sports regarding the presence of Queiroz on the bench of the national team? He stated: “We will not interfere in the technical issues of any federation (…), including the football federation, and we also announced to the former head of the football federation that we will support whatever decision you make, The federation is responsible to make a decision in this regard and we simply stand by the decision it makes. I must say that no consultation has been made with the Ministry of Sports and Youth about the names of the future coach.”

In response to another question about the fact that the member of the parliament has recently announced that we will impeach the minister of sports, Sajjadi said: “A question was raised by one of the members of the parliament about the expulsion of both Esteghlal and Persepolis from the AFC Champions League, and I will answer in this regard. We announce to all that the suspension of Esteghlal and Persepolis will remain until December. Regarding the latest status of the two most popular teams in the country, continued absence from the AFC Champions League due to their status as non-NGO clubs, he said: “the decision-makers in the Asian Football Federation remain the same and that is the continued suspension, but it will be removed by December. We must prepare our documents. Fortunately, good issues are raised and we hope Esteghlal and Persepolis prove their professional status to the Asian Football Confederation.”

Once again the Minister confirmed the chaotic status of Iranian football where the government acts like the big brother. By electing Mehdi Taj a career government civil servant, the regime once again strengthens its grip on the policies of the FFIRI. The government that payrolls the football federation always claims that it does not interfere but the reality is completely different. Nothing of significance passes in the FFIRI without the nod from the Ministry of Youth and sports, which bankrolls this federation. The fact that Esteghlal and Perspolis are suspended is due to the structure of the club which does not meet the professional standards set by the AFC and FIFA. Esteghlal and Perspolis are the properties of the Iranian government since the revolution. There is no independent setup like other professional clubs in which the board members of both clubs and chairman are hand-picked by the Ministry rather than a general assembly.

As for the Team Melli bench situation, Sajjadi’s statement lacks authenticity and real truth. His maneuvering skills by playing innocence are all channeled towards the prevention of FIFA as the result of Government intervention. His public statements aim to disguise the iron grip control of the government on football at all levels from clubs to the federation. Control of football affairs is a regime Policy and a national security issue that considers this sport, in particular, a strong tool that can turn the masses against it.

Kaffashian will not run in the latest FFIRI elections.

Ali Kaffashian the incumbent President of the Iranian football federation FFIRI has announced that he will not run for re-election due in a few weeks.

7 candidates have announced their candidacy for replacing Ali Kaffashian amongst them are Mehdi Taj , the current head of the Football League in FFIRI , General Mostafa Ajerloo famous for his succesful days as Pas Tehran club chairman and Azizollah Mohammadi , the former  head of the Football League . The trio have the highest chances of winning the election as the new President of FFIRI.

Kaffashian has been put under pressure by his Nemesis the Minister of Sport Goudarzi to quit. The two never had an amicable relation mainly due to the constant interference by the Ministry in football affairs thus risking a ban by FIFA. Kaffashian has publicly denied any rift but admitted that the FFIRI and the Ministry of Sport have conflicting interests and opinions that could harm the sport. 

Despite Kaffashian’s withdrawal , he noted that if he feels that there is enough backing and support from the general assembly , he will reenter the election for another 4 years.

The impact of Kaffashian leaving the administration will be directly felt at Team Melli. Carlos Queiroz , the head coach has been receiving full support from Kaffashian while on the other hand, creating a plethora of enemies around him. It is a forgone conclusion that Queiroz will not survive without Kaffashian at the helm. No one in the current administration cares much for him being the head coach except for Kaffashian. None of the other candidates expressed public support for the Portuguese coach either. However , in Iran changes can happen and shifts in support has turned situations before. 

Queiroz in Minsitry of Youth & Sport
Queiroz in Minsitry of Youth & Sport