[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter the huge sigh of relief and the celebration and jubilation of Team qualification to the World Cup in Brazil , it is prudent to think about the plans beyond. Time and again , the officials of Iranian football have announced that the aspirations of Iranian football is not just to turn up in the elite of the World game but powerfully represent the country’s image and reputation to the global viewers.

For such to materialize, Team Melli needs an effective program planning to prepare itself well for the big stage. The IRIFF have already announced that the participation of Team Melli in next year’s World Cup will be taken into consideration in all their planning and league scheduling. In reality, the IRIFF and Iran sport official have hardly been transparent in their actions and always vague about their plans while pushing aside any potential problems that could occur as irrelevant or can be resolved with a few prayers and good well.

Added to the bitter reality , the fact that the IRIFF is not exactly a powerful player in the continental or the world stage in diplomacy. Poor communications and relationship with other countries, failure of the officials to gain influences and posts in the AFC, influences of Arab neighbors who, if not hostile, have not been very amicable with Iranians, Ability of Arab Persian Gulf states to buy their way into the corridors of powers of the AFC and FIFA has all contributed to the marginalization of Iranian football in recent years.

Internal and external influences have resulted in less than ideal progress of Iranian football and inability to reach its deserved prestige in Football. There is no shortage of talents in Iran; it is the manipulation, development, politicization, management and organization that have been significant limitations. As far as preparation for the world cup in concerned, arranging meaningful friendly matches with quality teams is at the top of the priorities of any aspiring national team.

In Europe, a group of professional managers and administrations are assigned to arrange friendly games well in advance with careful planning and knowledge. Friendly matches are arranged two years in advance in some cases catering for the participation of their teams in the World Cup and European championships. In Iran, such planning has not only been scarce , but also impractical for many reasons. That is why, it is quite important to address right now consider next year’s World Cup participation for Team Melli..

[dropcap]C[/dropcap]arlos Queiroz is a well-known name in World Football arena. They just don’t come much bigger than him. Coaching and managing in the World Cup, association with Portugal national team, Real Madrid, Manchester United, South Africa and Japan,  among many other jobs,  is just not a small feat. He has built powerful relationship in those countries and beyond hence it is important for the IRIFF to capitalize on the status of Querioz and assign him the task of arranging friendly matches with the countries willing to play Team Melli.

With the qualification to the World Cup and under a famous coach such as Queroz, there will be no shortage of national teams willing to play Team Melli.  However, this planning has to be done right now