Tag: Mexico

Team Melli Still Waiting for U.S. and Mexico Visas, Says Mehdi Taj

The Iranian national football team, known as Team Melli, has yet to secure entry visas for Mexico and the United States ahead of their upcoming international fixtures. This was confirmed by Mehdi Taj, the head of the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI).

Taj also provided insight into the team’s recent friendly match arrangements and the logistical challenges involved.

“The reality is that the region has been affected by war. Qatar and the UAE lost their FIFA Days in March as a result, but we managed to hold a training camp in Turkey. That camp cost us nearly $1.2 million. Now, we paid $100,000 to arrange a friendly with Mali, and we also covered their team’s hotel expenses,” Taj explained.

He further detailed the costs of a proposed match in North America: “We will need to spend another $1.2 million to fly the national team to Mexico. We have nearly eight tons of cargo, and the plane has only 36 business-class seats.”

On the pressing issue of visa issuance, Taj said: “After the final player list was confirmed, we submitted it to FIFA. Based on that list, we are supposed to receive Mexican visas first, followed by U.S. visas as quickly as possible. The truth is that FIFA is caught in the middle between us and the United States.”

Four Dropped Players May Still Travel as Observers

Taj also addressed the status of the four players who were excluded from the final World Cup squad. “They are supposed to travel with the team to the World Cup. Of course, whether they accompany the team as observers is up to them,” he said.

Political Atmosphere May Have Influenced Squad Selection

In a highly unusual statement regarding national team selection, Taj suggested that off-pitch factors could have played a role. “The conditions and the atmosphere in the stadiums may have had an impact on the selection of players, and Mr. Ghalenoei [Team Melli’s head coach] took this into account.”

This remark implies that the political environment—specifically the possibility of dissent or protests, including from the Iranian diaspora—may have influenced player selection. Taj did not clarify how such considerations were measured in terms of athletic ability, nor whether the player’s political stance or reputation played a role.

Friendly with Grenada Likely Behind Closed Doors

The FFIRI has held talks with the Grenada Football Federation to arrange a friendly match prior to the World Cup. Team Melli had originally been scheduled to face Puerto Rico in their final warm-up match in the United States, but that game was canceled after the team’s camp was moved to Tijuana, Mexico.

The potential match against Grenada—ranked 163rd in the FIFA rankings—would be played behind closed doors.

Upcoming Test Against Mali

In two days, Team Melli will face Mali in what is expected to be a much tougher test for the Iranian side. The match will serve as a crucial evaluation just before the team departs for Mexico.

It could also provide an opportunity for head coach Amir Ghalenoei to give playing time to those who have not yet featured in the current camp, including Mehdi Ghayedi, Saman Ghoddos, and Dennis Dargahi. The latter, Dargahi, has yet to make his senior debut for Team Melli, despite being named in the final 26-player squad.

Persian Version

مهدی تاج، رئیس فدراسیون فوتبال جمهوری اسلامی ایران

، تأیید کرد که تیم ملی ایران ()

هنوز موفق به دریافت ویزای ورود به مکزیک و ایالات متحده برای دیدارهای بین‌المللی پیش‌رو نشده است.تیم ملی

تاج همچنین درباره چیدمان دیدارهای دوستانه و چالش‌های لجستیکی پیشِ رو توضیح داد:

«واقعیت این است که منطقه تحت تأثیر جنگ قرار گرفته است. قطر و امارات در ماه مارس روزهای فیفا را از دست دادند، اما ما اردوی خود را در ترکیه برگزار کردیم. این اردو نزدیک به ۱.۲ میلیون دلار هزینه داشت. حالا برای برگزاری بازی دوستانه با مالی ۱۰۰ هزار دلار پرداخت کردیم و هزینه هتل تیم مالی را هم متقبل شدیم.»

او در ادامه به هزینه‌های سفر به مکزیک اشاره کرد: «برای پرواز دادن تیم ملی به مکزیک مجبوریم ۱.۲ میلیون دلار هزینه کنیم. نزدیک به ۸ تن بار داریم و هواپیما فقط ۳۶ صندلی بیزینس کلاس دارد.»

وضعیت ویزا: فیفا میان ایران و آمریکا گیر کرده است

تاج در مورد آخرین وضعیت صدور ویزای تیم ملی گفت: «بعد از نهایی شدن لیست نهایی، آن را در اختیار فیفا قرار دادیم. فیفا بر اساس این لیست ابتدا ویزای مکزیک و سپس ویزای آمریکا را برای ما صادر خواهد کرد. واقعیت این است که فیفا بین ما و آمریکا گیر کرده است.»

چهار بازیکن خط‌ خورده ممکن است به عنوان ناظر همراه تیم شوند

تاج همچنین درباره چهار بازیکنی که از لیست نهایی خط خورده‌اند، گفت: «این چهار بازیکن قرار است همراه تیم به جام جهانی سفر کنند. البته این که به عنوان ناظر همراه تیم باشند یا نه، به خودشان بستگی دارد.»

تأثیر جو سیاسی بر انتخاب بازیکنان؛ اظهارنظر بی‌سابقه رئیس فدراسیون

تاج سپس به موضوعی اشاره کرد که در تاریخ انتخاب بازیکنان تیم‌های ملی بی‌سابقه است. او گفت: «شرایط و جو حاکم بر ورزشگاه‌ها ممکن است روی انتخاب بازیکنان تأثیر گذاشته باشد و آقای قلعه‌نویی این مسئله را مدنظر قرار داده است.»

این اظهارنهاد حاکی از آن است که فضای سیاسی – از جمله احتمال اعتراضات یا مخالفت‌ها از سوی هواداران ایرانی خارج از کشور – در انتخاب بازیکنان مؤثر بوده است. تاج توضیح نداد که چگونه این موضوع از نظر توانایی فنی سنجیده می‌شود یا این که آیا سابقه یا موضع‌گیری سیاسی نقشی در این انتخاب‌ها داشته است.

دوستانه با گرانادا پشت درهای بسته

فدراسیون ایران با فدراسیون گرانادا برای برگزاری یک بازی دوستانه پیش از جام جهانی مذاکره کرده است. قرار بود تیم ملی آخرین بازی تدارکاتی خود پیش از جام جهانی در آمریکا برابر پورتوریکو برگزار کند، اما این بازی به دلیل انتقال اردوی تیم ایران به تیجوانای مکزیک لغو شد.

دیدار احتمالی با گرانادا که در رده‌بندی فیفا در جایگاه ۱۶۳ قرار دارد، پشت درهای بسته برگزار خواهد شد.

تست سخت برابر مالی در دو روز آینده

تیم ملی ایران ظرف دو روز دیگر به مصاف مالی خواهد رفت. این دیدار برای شاگردان قلعه‌نویی آزمونی دشوارتر محسوب می‌شود و انتظار می‌رود چالش جدی پیش از سفر به مکزیک باشد.

این بازی می‌تواند فرصتی برای قلعه‌نویی باشد تا از بازیکنانی استفاده کند که تاکنون در این اردو به میدان نرفته‌اند؛ از جمله مهدی قایدی، سامان قدوس و دنیس درگاهی.  با وجود قرار گرفتن در لیست نهایی ۲۶ نفره تیم ملی، هنوز اولین بازی رسمی خود را برای ایران انجام نداده است.

Tijuana’s Centro Xoloitzcuintle , Team Melli’s Base Camp in Mexico

A strategic location, unique climate, and proximity to major host cities shape Team Melli’s World Cup preparations

When FIFA confirmed the list of official base camps for the 2026 World Cup, one selection stood out immediately: Iran will train in Tijuana, Mexico, at the Centro Xoloitzcuintle, the private training complex of Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente.
The choice surprised many observers, not because of quality, but because of the facility’s unusually low public profile. Despite being part of a major Liga MX organization, the training center has very limited public imagery, almost no architectural documentation, and sits inside a privately owned sports and entertainment complex.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has personally supported the Iranian camp. Sheinbaum said at a news conference Monday that she was told by a FIFA representative the U.S. was reluctant to have the Iranian soccer team spend time outside the games on U.S. territory.

“The United States doesn’t want the Iranian national team to stay overnight in the United States,” Sheinbaum told reporters. She said a FIFA representative had then asked, “Can they stay overnight in Mexico?”

“And we said, ‘Yes, no problem. We have no issue with that’,” she said.

Iran’s soccer team is slated to play matches in Inglewood, California, against New Zealand on June 15 and against Belgium six days later, before facing Egypt on June 26 in Seattle.

🏟️ A Private, High‑Performance Training Environment

The Centro Xoloitzcuintle is located inside the Estadio Caliente / Hipódromo Agua Caliente complex, a secure, privately owned sports zone in Tijuana.
It serves as the primary training ground for Club Tijuana (Xolos), the city’s top‑flight Liga MX team.

The facility includes:

  • A FIFA‑standard natural‑grass pitch (recently converted from synthetic turf)
  • Controlled access and privacy
  • Proximity to medical, fitness, and recovery infrastructure
  • A closed environment ideal for teams requiring security and confidentiality

The privacy factor is especially relevant for Iran, a team that often prefers low‑exposure, tightly managed training environments.

🌎 Strategic Location: Close to Los Angeles and Seattle

Iran’s group‑stage matches in 2026 will require significant travel across North America.
Tijuana’s location offers a major logistical advantage:

✈️ Travel Times

  • Tijuana → Los Angeles
    Approx. 2.5 hours by road (via CBX or San Ysidro border crossing)
    Approx. 35–45 minutes by air from Tijuana International Airport (TIJ)
  • Tijuana → Seattle
    Approx. 3 hours by direct flight
    (TIJ has direct and connecting flights to Seattle‑Tacoma International Airport)

This makes Tijuana one of the closest non‑U.S. training bases to two major host cities.

Additionally, the Cross‑Border Xpress (CBX) terminal allows passengers to walk directly from Tijuana Airport into the United States, dramatically simplifying logistics.

🌤️ Climate: Mild, Coastal, and Ideal for Training

Tijuana’s climate is Mediterranean‑coastal, similar to Southern California.

Key advantages:

  • Mild temperatures in June (18–24°C)
  • Low humidity compared to U.S. East Coast venues
  • Stable weather with minimal rain
  • Cool evenings, ideal for recovery sessions

This is a significant benefit for Iran, whose players will face varying climates across the tournament—from the heat of California to the cooler Pacific Northwest.

🌍 Iranian Diaspora in Tijuana & San Diego

While Tijuana itself has a small Iranian community, the San Diego metropolitan area—just minutes across the border—has a notable Iranian diaspora, including:

  • Academics and researchers
  • Tech professionals
  • Medical specialists
  • Students at UC San Diego and SDSU

San Diego hosts Iranian cultural associations, Persian restaurants, and community groups that often support Team Melli during international tournaments.

This means Iran will have local fan support, even if modest, during its stay.

🐕 Who Plays at Estadio Caliente?

The training center is part of the infrastructure of Club Tijuana Xoloitzcuintles de Caliente, commonly known as Xolos, a well‑supported Liga MX club founded in 2007.

Xolos:

  • Play in Liga MX, Mexico’s top division
  • Have a passionate fan base
  • Are known for their distinctive red‑and‑black branding
  • Use Estadio Caliente as their home stadium

The club’s facilities—including the Centro Xoloitzcuintle—have been steadily upgraded over the past decade.

📰 Why So Few Public Images Exist

Despite being a World Cup training site, the Centro Xoloitzcuintle remains unusually undocumented.
Reasons include:

  • It is private property, not a public sports complex
  • Media access is restricted
  • The facility is inside a casino–racetrack–stadium compound
  • FIFA’s upgrades were completed quietly and without public tours
  • Security considerations for Iran may have limited exposure further

The only widely circulated image is a REUTERS drone photograph, confirming the facility’s layout and readiness.

A Quiet but Smart Choice for Iran

While not flashy or heavily promoted, the Centro Xoloitzcuintle offers Iran:

  • Privacy
  • Security
  • A mild climate
  • Proximity to major host cities
  • Access to a supportive diaspora in nearby San Diego

In many ways, it is a perfect fit for Team Melli’s preparation style—focused, controlled, and away from unnecessary distractions.

Political Tensions Force Iranian Delegation to Rethink US World Cup Trip

The escalating political situation and the ongoing hostilities between the United States and Iran have forced the Iranian official delegation to reconsider its plans to accompany Team Melli to the 2026 World Cup in the United States.

It is standard practice for all participating nations to send an official delegation alongside their national team during the World Cup. These delegations typically include officials responsible for public relations, diplomacy, player support, and promotional activities. However, this year’s tournament, hosted by a hostile adversary that has attacked the country along with Israel, has introduced unprecedented complications.

Sources suggest that the government in Tehran has actively discouraged the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) from sending a large delegation. This caution stems in part from a recent episode involving Mehdi Taj, the head of the FFIRI, who encountered difficulties while transiting through Canada en route to the FIFA Annual Conference. That incident has reportedly heightened concerns among Iranian officials about traveling through North America.

From Tehran’s perspective, the United States remains a hostile nation capable of taking adverse actions against visiting Iranian officials. Fears range from arrests and politically motivated trials to systematic harassment at airports. Even if delegation members obtain legitimate U.S. visas, many Iranian officials believe that movement restrictions, prolonged interrogations, and public humiliation at points of entry are all but foregone conclusions.

Board Members Reluctant to Travel

As is customary, the FFIRI initially nominated several members of its Board of Directors to travel to the United States and accompany the national team during the tournament. However, it now appears that none of the board members are willing to make the trip and take risks.

To date, three board members—Ali Khatir, Heydar Baharvand, and Mohammad Rahman Salari, have officially canceled their travel plans to the United States. Six other members, Farideh Shojaei, Hojjat Karimi, Farzin Dabiri, Mohammad Esfandiarpour, Tahmoorth Heydari, and Ali Taheri, have yet to confirm their participation, and sources indicate they are unlikely to do so.

The sole exception is Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, the only board member currently present with Team Melli at their training camp in Antalya, Turkey. Serving as the national team’s manager, Nabi holds a dual role that involves direct oversight of the team’s day-to-day operations. While he remains committed to traveling to the United States, there is no guarantee he will be spared the difficulties expected to await Iranian officials on American soil.

Team’s Preparatory Schedule

Meanwhile, the national football team is continuing its preparations abroad. After completing their current phase of training in Turkey, Team Melli will travel to Mexico for the third stage of their pre-World Cup camp, based in Tijuana. From there, the squad is scheduled to fly directly to the United States for the tournament matches.

As the clock ticks down to kickoff, the absence of a full official delegation could impact not only logistical coordination but also Iran’s diplomatic and public relations presence at the world’s most-watched sporting event.

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.

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

Claudia Sheinbaum - Mexico President

Mexico Confirms Readiness to Host Iran’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Matches

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Mexico said on Tuesday that the country stands ready to host some of Iran’s matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed her country’s readiness when responding to a question about whether Mexico would welcome Iran’s participation in Mexico’s home ground for the tournament. “Yes,” she replied with a clear endorsement, emphasizing that Mexico maintains diplomatic relations with all countries worldwide and is eagerly awaiting FIFA’s final decision on the hosting arrangement.

This announcement comes as US President Donald Trump issued a thinly veiled threat to Iran’s national football team last week by declaring they are “welcome” but warning it would not be “appropriate” for them to attend “for their own life and safety.”

The statement was posted on his Truth Social platform, following the US-Israeli aggression that has severely damaged several Iranian sports facilities.

In response to these events, Tehran has vowed to boycott the tournament as a protest against the assassination of its leaders and the ongoing imposed war. 

The statement by the US president came just days after Trump assured FIFA President Gianni Infantino that Iran would be allowed to compete in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

FIFA President Infantino Visits Iran Locker Room, Congratulates Team on World Cup Qualification

(Tashkent, Uzbekistan) – Following Iran’s narrow 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 final, FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a surprise visit to the Team Melli locker room to personally congratulate the players on their recent qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to IRNA, the President’s message was one of unwavering support and admiration for Iranian football. He emphasized the significance of their World Cup achievement, stating, “Congratulations on qualifying for the World Cup; it was not an easy task. You have made your country and your families proud, and you have also made Iranians abroad happy.”

Infantino expressed his personal fondness for the team, revealing, “I am a big fan of Iranian football. One of your players gave me his shirt in 2019, and I still have it. It is very valuable to me.”

He went on to highlight a iconic moment from the team’s recent history, recalling, “I still remember the Qatar World Cup. The Iran-Wales match was unbelievable. This is the feeling that football can give us; the whole stadium was happy at that moment.”

Addressing the immediate disappointment of the CAFA final loss, the FIFA President offered words of encouragement: “You played very well today, but in football, there are always wins and losses. You are a strong team and should be proud of yourselves.”

Looking ahead to the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Infantino provided a definitive assurance: “As the President of FIFA, I say welcome to the World Cup. I guarantee your presence.”

Concluding his address, Infantino reflected on the unifying power of the sport: “With the help of football, we want to unite the whole world. Unfortunately, the global situation is complex, but football can create this unity that politics often cannot. For the sake of your parents and your families, continue on this path so that you can bring joy to your people. I look forward to seeing you at the World Cup.”

‘It’s offensive’: voices from Iran as fans face 2026 World Cup travel ban

 

The Guardian
London.
After Donald Trump banned Iranians from entering the US, one of the co-hosts, there are different views on what should be done

“It’s offensive for any football fan to be prevented from participating in the World Cup, not just Iranians,” Ali Rezaei of Tehran’s Borna news agency says. In March, the national team became the second to qualify for the 2026 World Cup that will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. In June, Donald Trump authorised the dropping of bombs on Iran and hit the country with a travel ban. As things stand, while the national team will be able to enter the US next summer, fans – and perhaps media – will not.

Residents of Tehran and other cities may have had enough to deal with of late, but still, being barred from entry stings, even if Iranians have long found it difficult to get into the US. “If the US government has issues with the Iranian regime for any reason, it should not result in discrimination against Iranian citizens,” Behnam Jafarzadeh, a writer for the leading sports site Varzesh3, says. “If someone hasn’t committed any illegal activity, why should they be punished? It’s not just about the World Cup – the policy needs to change in general.”

What can Iran do? “Boycotting the World Cup is not a solution,” Siavash Pakdaman, a Tehran-based fan, says. “Refusing to play on US soil would be a dangerous precedent – any host country could start excluding teams it has issues with. Just as the Iranian delegation can and should be present at the United Nations in the US, the Iranian team should also play on American soil if the draw requires it – without relocation.”

There is a feeling that staying away would not make much difference anyway. “It would only deprive the national team of the opportunity to participate in a major tournament and would ultimately hurt Iran more,” Jafarzadeh says. “It might even be welcomed by some American officials. It could make headlines briefly, but once the tournament starts, it will be forgotten and will have achieved nothing.”

Questions have been asked – including in Iran, whose supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has long banned competing against Israeli athletes – about what the international reaction would have been if Qatar had banned citizens from certain nations from attending the 2022 World Cup.

“If the USA makes it difficult for football fans to attend, then changing the host country is necessary,” Rezaei says. “Doing so would harm the USA’s reputation, not the World Cup’s. If strict entry rules remain, we should focus on protecting football. This is supposed to be a celebration of sport.”

Jafarzadeh is not confident that the competition could be taken away from the busiest of the three hosts. “It is not a challenge Fifa and [its president Gianni] Infantino would want to take on.” Perhaps there is another way. “Fifa should use all of its influence to push for a suspension of this policy at least during the World Cup.”

Fifa may find it easier to place Iran in Canada or Mexico and hope that Iran don’t make it to the latter stages, when there would have to be a game in the US. “Playing in Mexico or Canada is not a real solution – it just ignores the actual problem,” Rezaei says.

Many expect it to happen anyway. “Canada has a large Iranian immigrant population, although some of them are opponents of the Iranian regime and the national team can’t count on their support,” Jafarzadeh says. “Mexico is probably a more attractive and less controversial destination for the team.”

That is another question. The Iranian-American community is more than a million strong yet many of these headed west before, or in response to, the Islamic Revolution of 1979.

“It seems that many Iranians who oppose the government consider the national team to be a representation of the regime – which I believe is wrong,” Pakdaman says. “And since a larger number of these opponents live in the US, the team may face pressure from the audience during the matches. Of course, I hope my analysis is wrong.”

Jafarzadeh, who went to the World Cups in Russia and Qatar and would love to go to the United States, says: “Some see the team as one that represents the regime, and this sentiment is even stronger among Iranians living abroad. Of course, the war with Israel has stirred feelings of patriotism among many Iranians, but I’m not sure if this will translate into support for the national team. We’ll have to wait and see how things unfold in the coming months.”

That there is time is perhaps a small reason for optimism that things could change. Iran is one of 19 countries subject to a full or partial US entry ban. Several of the others retain hope of qualifying for the first 48-team World Cup, including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Venezuela and Haiti.

“Considering that there is almost a year left until the 2026 World Cup, there is a possibility that the situation may stabilise,” says Isa Azimi, a columnist and translator, regarding Iran’s situation, though he is not confident. “Despite claims of separating politics from football, Fifa has shown that it is not particularly independent when facing major political powers.”

Especially when Infantino appears to prize his close relationship with President Trump. “If Fifa considers itself a global body independent of governments, it must stand up to such laws and not allow politics to contaminate the world of sports,” Pakdaman says. “Of course, we all know that, unfortunately, such contamination exists – especially when one side of the issue is a superpower that answers to no one. It is Fifa’s duty to treat all member countries equally, but will that actually happen?”

 

Same old excuses repeated at FFIRI

According to Mehrnews, the cancellation of the friendly game of Team Melli against Canada has caused numerous criticism of Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) for not finalizing other friendly matches or considering other options. Meanwhile, the directors of communication of the FFIRI claimed that they had held talks with several associations, but in the end, due to various problems, these negotiations were fruitless.

Mohammad Javad Payendeh, Football Federation Public Relations Manager, said: “We negotiated with the Republic of Ireland, who declared their initial agreement, but later said that they could not assemble the players!.  Another association that did not qualify for the World Cup wanted us to bear all costs for a friendly match including transportation and accommodation which would have been close to $ 1.5 million.”  He added: “We negotiated with the major associations of teams from North America, South America, and Africa that did not qualify for the World Cup.  Among these countries, especially the Africans, there were some encouraging responses initially, and we are trying to hold two games on “Fifa day”.

Payandeh, who spoke to the “Stadium” Radio program, said that Mexico and Ecuador also wanted to play a friendly match with Iran: “The two countries offered to play in the United States, but the conditions for traveling to the United States are much more difficult for us than It was Canada”

For decades, such excuses have been passed to the fans. It comes from the same textbook regardless of which administration or who heads FFIRI. The end results were either downright failures or poor preparation. Queiroz suffered intensely from this federation however, he was proactive and realized the incompetency of the people in the Seoul Street building.  He, through personal contact and his network, managed to negotiate quite a few friendly matches during his tenure.

Branko Ivankovic : ” No intention to coach Team Melli”

Former  Team Melli and Persepolis coach Branko Ivankovic says he has no intention of coaching Iran national football team.

Ivankovic led Persepolis to the Iranian domestic treble last season but left after they failed to pay him his salary, a common practice in Iran in the last few years.

The 65-year-old coach, considered as one of the best foreign coaches of Team Melli, won the gold medal in 2002 Asian Games and led Team Melli to third place in 2004 AFC Asian Cup.

The Croat coached Iran at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where the Team Melli failed to qualify for the next stage after losing to Mexico and Portugal. while drawing with Angola.

“At the moment, I have a lot of offers from Egypt, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Japan and China but have not accepted them so far. In Al Ahli, I was fired after three matches, something I never experienced such a thing before. I believe I worked well for the team as it needed some changes in dressing room but this is football and I accept it,” Ivankovic said.

Asked why he left Persepolis at the end of the last season, Ivankovic said, “I had four fascinating years in Iran and I so much miss the country. However, I was forced to leave Persepolis because they didn’t pay our salaries for about one year. At that time, Al Ahli gave me a good offer and I accepted it,” he added.

Persepolis have lost three times in the last 10 matches but Ivankovic says they are favourites to win the title for the fourth time in a row.

“I think Gabriel Calderon needs time in Persepolis because he is a great coach. Persepolis fans love their team and support their players and coaches. In my opinion, Persepolis and Sepahan are vying for the title in the current season,” Ivankovic stated.

Ivankovic believes that Team Melli had a chance to qualify for the next round at the FIFA 2018 World Cup.

“I think (Carlos) Queiroz preferred to defend in Russia. Iran could have played attacking football against Portugal and Span. After beating Morocco, Team Melli should have taken risks,” said Ivankovic .

“Is there any chance to return to Team Melli if he receives an offer?”

“I would prefer to work at club level. I am not going work as a national team head coach,” Ivankovic concluded.