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Amir Ghalenoei Announces Team Melli Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers

Amir Ghalenoei has announced Team Melli’s squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, with an away match against Uzbekistan and a home game against Qatar. Alongside familiar names, Ghalenoei has introduced two new, unfamiliar faces as part of his ongoing project to inject younger talent into the squad.

Notable Absentees

The squad will be missing one key player due to injury while some others due to strategic decisions. Hossein Kanani is sidelined with an injury, and three senior players—Ehsan Hajsafy, Karim Ansarifard, and Ramin Rezaeian—have been excluded from the team. This marks a significant shift as Ghalenoei looks to build a more dynamic and youthful team. It seems that the three senior players are destined to retire from Team Melli.

Rising Star: Mohammad Mahdi Zare

One of the most notable inclusions is Mohammad Mahdi Zare, a 21-year-old, 192 cm tall defender from Gol Gohar Sirjan Club. Zare has been a standout performer this season, seizing the opportunity presented by Masih Zahedi’s injury. Despite only sitting on the bench for the first game in a 1-0 defeat, Zare has since been a crucial part of a defensive line that has conceded only one goal in the subsequent five matches.

The list includes the welcome return of Mohammad Mohebbi after a long period of absence due to injury that disrupted his excellent performance with the Russian Club FC Rostov.

Strategic Decisions and Future Prospects

While it is unlikely that Ghalenoei will field Zare in the challenging matches against Uzbekistan and Qatar, the young defender’s inclusion in the squad is seen as a valuable opportunity for him to gain experience and prepare for future competitions. Ghalenoei’s strategy of integrating younger players is aimed at ensuring the long-term success and sustainability of Team Melli.

As Team Melli prepares for these crucial qualifiers, the blend of experienced players and emerging talents like Zare reflects Ghalenoei’s vision for a balanced and competitive team. The upcoming matches will not only test the team’s current capabilities but also provide a glimpse into the future of Iranian football.

THE SQUAD

No.PostPlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
1GKAlireza Beiranvand21 September 1992 (age 32)730 Tractor
12GKPayam Niazmand6 April 1995 (age 29)90 Sepahan
22GKHossein Hosseini30 June 1992 (age 32)110 Esteghlal
2DFSaleh Hardani26 December 1998 (age 25)80 Sepahan
4DFShojae Khalilzadeh14 May 1989 (age 35)442 Tractor
5DFMilad Mohammadi29 September 1993 (age 31)631 Persepolis
15DFAmin Hazbavi6 May 2003 (age 21)30 Sepahan
18DFAbolfazl Jalali26 June 1998 (age 26)60 Esteghlal
23DFAria Yousefi22 April 2002 (age 22)40 Sepahan
24DFAli Nemati7 February 1996 (age 28)00 Foolad Khuzestan
DFMohammad Daneshgar24 January 1994 (age 30)20 Sepahan
DFMehdi Zare25 January 2003 (age 21)00 Gol Gohar Sirjan
3MFMohammad Ghorbani21 May 2001 (age 23)40 Orenburg
6MFSaeid Ezatolahi1 October 1996 (age 28)701 Shabab Al Ahli
7MFAlireza Jahanbakhsh11 August 1993 (age 31)8617Free agent
10MFMehdi Ghayedi5 December 1998 (age 25)218 Ittihad Kalba
11MFAli Gholizadeh10 March 1996 (age 28)386 Lech Poznań
14MFSaman Ghoddos6 September 1993 (age 31)543 Ittihad Kalba
16MFMehdi Torabi10 September 1994 (age 30)517 Tractor
17MFMohammad Karimi20 June 1996 (age 28)40 Sepahan
21MFOmid Noorafkan9 April 1997 (age 27)241 Malavan
MFMohammad Mohebi20 December 1998 (age 25)236 Rostov
MFAmirhossein Hosseinzadeh30 October 2000 (age 23)30 Tractor
MFJavad Hosseinnejad26 June 2003 (age 21)20 FC Dynamo Makhachkala
9FWMehdi Taremi18 July 1992 (age 32)8751 Inter Milan
19FWShahriyar Moghanlou21 December 1994 (age 29)112 Ittihad Kalba
20FWSardar Azmoun1 January 1995 (age 29)8553 Shabab Al Ahli

Uzbekistan, the toughest test for Team Melli.

Team Melli Gears Up for Crucial Clash Against Uzbekistan

With just a week remaining before the pivotal match against Uzbekistan, Team Melli is banking on the strong form of its players across various leagues. As Iran prepares for the away fixture, head coach Amir Ghalenoei is expected to stick with a familiar squad, similar to the one fielded in the previous two matches. What bodes well for Team Melli is the impressive performances many of its key players have delivered at the club level in both domestic and regional competitions.

Key Players in Form

Sardar Azmoun has been in exceptional form for Shabab Al-Ahli in the UAE league, making headlines with his consistent performances. Likewise, Mehdi Ghayedi has impressed with his contributions for Ittihad Kalba, a smaller club, but one where he has made a significant impact.

Saman Ghoddos has also secured playing time after signing with Ittihad Kalba. Though the move from Europe to the UAE may seem like a downgrade for the midfielder who played all his professional career in Europe, regular minutes on the pitch are essential for his form, particularly with Team Melli in mind.

In Iran’s domestic league, most of Team Melli’s players have been solid, if not spectacular. However, one standout performer has been Javad Aghaeipour. His two goals in Sepahan’s AFC Champions League match against Istiklol of Tajikistan, coupled with his domestic league displays, make him a strong candidate for a recall to the national team. His form adds competition to an already crowded forward line.

Taremi’s European Brilliance

Mehdi Taremi had a standout performance for Inter Milan in their UEFA Champions League win against Red Star Belgrade, where he was named Man of the Match. Taremi played the full 90 minutes, providing two assists for Arnautovic and Martinez, before scoring a penalty to seal a 4-0 victory. After a disappointing display in Team Melli’s last match against the UAE, this performance will give Taremi a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the Uzbekistan game.

Ghalenoei’s Selection Dilemma

Amir Ghalenoei is spoilt for choice when it comes to squad selection, as Team Melli is brimming with talent. The challenge lies in how he can mold these individuals into a cohesive unit that can withstand the pressure of facing a formidable Uzbek side.

Uzbekistan: A Tough Opponent

Although Uzbekistan has a poor head-to-head record against Iran, they are a difficult team to overcome. Led by experienced coach Srečko Katanec, Uzbekistan boasts a tactically astute and disciplined squad. Katanec is known for his ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, and his strategic acumen will be a key factor in this encounter. Uzbekistan, still seeking their first-ever World Cup qualification, have been undefeated in this campaign and currently top the group on goal difference.

Tactical Battle Awaits

The match is shaping up to be a tactical showdown between two contrasting styles. While a draw may seem the most likely outcome on paper, Uzbekistan’s home advantage could tilt the balance in their favor. Team Melli’s defense, which has shown vulnerability in previous matches, will need to be sharp and organized to handle Uzbekistan’s dynamic attack.

The high-stakes clash will take place in Tashkent on October 10, 2024, at 17:30 Iran time.

Saman Ghoddos Joins Ittihad Kalba: The Third Iranian Star in UAE League

Saman Ghoddos has officially signed with Ittihad Kalba, becoming the third Iranian player to join this UAE Pro League team.

After being released by the English Premier League club Brentford at the end of the season, the Team Melli midfielder faced challenges in finding a new club in Europe. Despite his qualities and commitment, clubs in his home country of Sweden were also reluctant to offer him a contract.

Eventually, Ittihad Kalba, a lower-ranked UAE club, showed interest. The prospect of joining two of his Team Melli teammates, combined with a lack of other offers, led Ghoddos to sign with Kalba. Mehdi Ghayedi and Shahriar Moghanlou, the two other Iranian players at Ittihad Kalba, have already made their mark, with both players featuring in the club’s recent match against Khor Fakkan and scoring the two goals that registered the first win of the club in this season.

It is quite disheartening to see talents like Ghoddos and Sardar Azmoun end up in a league of lower stature compared to the elite European leagues. The question arises as to how such promising careers, especially Azmoun’s, can take such a downturn, leading them to play in leagues of much lower standards. This situation often reflects the players’ mentality, commitment, and mental toughness.

Behrouz Azimi

Fury at Futsal World Cup as French accused of rigging match to get easier knockout route

26th September 2024

September 26 – The Futsal World Cup has exploded into controversy, with coaches making accusations of match-fixing following a heavy defeat for France against Iran.

Rivals have complained about the manner of the French performance in a 4-1 loss, a result that opened up a potentially easier passage through the tournament for Les Bleus in Uzbekistan.

After a lifeless first half, Iran easily prevailed after France conceded a soft opening goal in the second, triggering angry reactions from other teams, some of whom filed complaints to FIFA.

“FIFA is aware of complaints filed by participating teams at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 regarding the Group F match between France and IR Iran,” a FIFA spokesperson was quoted as saying. “No further comment will be made while this process is ongoing.”

While both teams had already qualified for the last 16, the result means France will take on Thailand before a potential quarter-final against Paraguay, while Iran face Morocco ahead of a possible last-eight clash against world number one Brazil.

“Iran and France, coaches and players alike, have disgraced my sport. You are a disgrace to the world,” Thailand coach Miguel Rodrigo wrote on X.

Retired Brazil great Falcao was quoted by French media as saying: “It shows a lack of respect for the World Cup. The match was clearly fixed from the first minute.”

A post on X by Libyan head coach Ricardo Iñiguez, whose team were eliminated from the competition at the group stage, also said the match had been a “disgrace” for the sport. “Libya is going to file an official complaint.”

But France coach Raphael Reynaud said the way the match played out was about avoiding bookings and injuries.

“It was Iran’s responsibility to be in charge of the game,” he said. “The draw is more open for us but our main goal was not to get booked and to avoid injuries.”

Morocco edge thriller to book Brazil quarter-final

IR Iran 3-4 Morocco

Morocco produced a first half for the ages to sink Iran and book a mouth-watering quarter-final with Brazil at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™. The enchanting, extrasensory team play of Soufian Charraoui, Soufiane El Mesrar, and Co dissected the Asian champions at will. Iran, inspired by Moslem Oladghobad and Hossein Tayebi battled back after the break, but their hopes were ended when the former crashed a double penalty off the post with the last kick of a thrilling game.

The Dream is over for Irtan and Vahid Shamsaee.

Shamsaee and his team crashed in the first half with a series of amateurish individual mistakes and poor defending. While two early goals in the second half reducing the deficit to only one, gave the Iranians some great hope, it never materialized due to solid Morroco defending and some tactical errors from the coaching staff.

It took Shamsaee the last 3 minutes to introduce power play and that was certainly too late for a hopeful recovery. The coach was not flexible nor dynamic enough to realize the poor performance of some of his players, in particular the keeper MOHAMMADI, which needed solutions.

At the end, and despite some powerful performances in the group stage, Iran Futsal once again failed to advance beyond the initial knockout stages in the FIFA World Cup.

IR Iran goals: Mohammadhossein Derakhshani (4), Hossein Tayebi (21), Moslem Oladghobad (22) Morocco goals: Khalid Bouzid (7), Alireza Rafieipour (11), Soufiane El Mesrar (17), Idriss Raiss El Fenni (20) Player of the Match: Soufian Charraoui (Morocco)

Alireza Beiranvand Sets New Guinness World Record

Alireza Beiranvand (32 years), the renowned goalkeeper for Team Melli and Tractor, has added another impressive record to his name. After setting the Guinness World Record for the longest throw of a soccer ball by hand, Beiranvand has now broken the record for the longest kick.

Last season, during a match between Persepolis and Zob Ahan, Beiranvand kicked the ball an astonishing 78 meters, surpassing the previous record held by Ederson of Manchester City, who had kicked the ball 75 meters. This remarkable feat earned Beiranvand a new Guinness World Record, increasing the distance by 3 meters.

Beiranvand’s first record-breaking achievement was during a match between Team Melli and the South Korean national team, where he set the record for the longest throw of a soccer ball by hand. On October 11, 2016, he threw the ball an incredible 61.26 meters (200 feet, 1.57 inches), a record that still stands today.

Beiranvand’s journey to these achievements is as inspiring as his records. Growing up in a nomadic family in Lorestan, Iran, he moved to Tehran at the age of 15 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Despite facing numerous challenges, including homelessness, he persevered and made his debut for Naft Tehran in 2011. His dedication and hard work eventually led him to become Iran’s first-choice goalkeeper, even saving a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2018 World Cup.

Tayebi: We’re targeting the semi-finals

When Hossein Tayebi stepped into the fray at the Huamark Indoor Stadium during Iran’s opening game at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, he could scarcely have imagined that he would steal the show by notching the decisive goal as his country held eventual finalists Spain to a draw.

Just 24 at the time, he was the third youngest member of an Iran squad embarking on their sixth Futsal World Cup campaign. He began the match on the bench, but made his mark after coming on and then opening his account in this prestigious tournament.

Tayebi recently looked back on this experience in an interview with FIFA.com: “We couldn’t have got off to a better start in the competition. As I recall, we could even have beaten Spain. Personally speaking, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better start to the World Cup because my goal earned us a point.”

“We played that first game with all our heart. We were determined to get that World Cup up and running on a positive note. The staff had studied Spain’s style of play in depth and I remember that we almost scored a winner, hitting the post at 2-2. Spain performed well against us – they’re a great team and I have a lot of respect for them.”

Following this draw with the Spaniards, Iran overcame Morocco and Panama to progress from the group in second place. However, their run was ended in the Round of 16 by Colombia, a defeat that continued to rankle the Tasisat Daryaei schemer for a long while afterwards.

“It was really disappointing to get knocked out by Colombia. I can remember the match perfectly. We had a man sent off. We hardly allowed Colombia any chances, but then we lost it in the final moments. Before Thailand 2012, no one expected us to go out at that stage, but futsal dealt us a cruel hand that day.”

Reunion time Iran will be up against some familiar faces in the group stage of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016, where they will take on not just Spain but also Morocco, whom Tayebi and Co edged past four years ago. Their third opponents, meanwhile, will be somewhat more of an unknown quantity in Azerbaijan.

The Asian champions will once again be kicking off against Spain, on this occasion in Medellin on 12 September. Tayebi stressed that he and his team-mates will be gunning for victory in this heavyweight bout: “I can assure you that every time the Iranian national futsal team enter the pitch, we do so to win, because we’re among the world’s powerhouses in this sport. We respect the Spaniards but we want to win our first match in Colombia. Encounters between Spain and Iran are always spectacular and tight affairs, but we’re determined to get the win.”

“We know that Azerbaijan have a strong team, even though we’ve never faced them,” he continued. “The coaching staff have watched two of their games, though, and told us that they play some good stuff. As I said before, we play to win and that match will be no exception.”

Despite his confidence in his own side’s abilities, Tayebi is nevertheless mindful that several other countries have kicked on in recent years and so it will prove a tough task for Iran to achieve their goal of advancing to at least the last four.

“I think most teams’ level has improved, which means the competition will be stiff and there will be no easy games. There are no favourites on paper and every side will be made to work hard for wins.”

“We’re going to do our best to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup and play with heart. We respect all the other teams a great deal, but we’re determined to succeed.”

Inspired by Shamsaee Tayebi is hopeful that the strike he bagged in Thailand four years ago will not be his last on the world stage, although collective glory remains his number-one target. “I was delighted to find the net against Spain. It was the most important goal of my career. Scoring at a World Cup is something unforgettable for any player,” he said, before quickly clarifying that, “As far as I’m concerned, the team’s success comes before my scoring statistics.”

“It’s exciting to see your name on the scoresheet in a World Cup match but, like I said, the team’s targets are more important. The fact that I’ve scored at a World Cup before shows that I can play my part within the group.”

In his eagerness to do his bit and perform his role with aplomb, Tayebi is inspired by the example of former Iran stars such as ex-national team captain Vahid Shamsaee, whom he described as “one of the best players in futsal history”.

“Vahid is a real legend and I have tremendous respect for him. He’s a great man who had a lot of success in his career. I’m proud to be his compatriot. I love the way he played and I’m going to try to follow in his footsteps by living long in all the Iranian fans’ memories.”

Colombia 2016 could provide the perfect platform for Tayebi to fulfill this dream by not just adding to his World Cup goal tally, but accomplishing something that not even the great Shamsaee was able to – helping his country through to the semi-finals of the global showpiece.

Iran youth wins big.

Iran’s U20 team under Hossein Abdi began the qualification with a resounding win against Host Laos in Vientiane with an 8-0 win in the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group G tie on Wednesday.

Iran took the lead after eight minutes with Farhan Bozorgianasl nodding at the far post from a deep outswinging corner kick delivery.

The four-time champions continued to be on the attack and doubled their advantage four minutes later from another set-piece, this time from a free-kick that Amirmohammad Razaghinia powered into the net.

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Defender Yaghoob Barajeh increased their lead in the 31st minute with a Laos mistake five minutes later allowing Esmaeil Gholizadeh to get on the scoresheet with Kasra Taheri capping an impressive first half for Iran with the fifth goal in the 41st minute.

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Despite showing improved defending at the start of the second half, Laos were undone again by Iran in the 63rd minute, Abbas Kahrizi producing a clever turn inside the box before slamming past Kop Lokphathip.

Iran were awarded a penalty with two minutes left to play, Barajeh sending his spot-kick into the bottom corner for his second of the game before another penalty in stoppage time was tucked away by Taheri to seal the resounding win.

Iran U20 will meet India who defeated Mongolia 4-1 in the earlier game, on Friday 27th September.

GOAL SCORERS

FIRST HALF.

Farhan Bozorgianasl 1-0 (8′)
Amirmohammad Razaghinia 2-0 (12′)
Yaghoob BarajeH 3-0 (31′)
Esmaeil Gholizadeh 4-0 (36′)
Kasra Taheri 5-0 (41′)

SECOND HALF
Abbas Kahrizi 6-0 (61′)
Yaghoob BarajeH 7-0 (p 88′)
Kasra Taheri 8-0 (91′)

Iran U20 goals

Iran sink France to win group F

Salar Aghapour starred as IR Iran downed France to win Group F at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024.

Iran’s futsal team outclassed France to win Group F at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™. Salar Aghapour was once again the hero for Team Melli, scoring twice to take his tally to the tournament to six. Iran will now play Morocco in a mouth-watering last-16 match-up. France, for their part, faces an easier-on-paper game against Thailand.

While missing several players due to illness and two due suspension, Iran was in full control of the game but their appetite for scoring was not evident. France, likewise was content with distributing the ball and waiting for a quick counterattack.

Salar Aghapour opened the scoring for Iran with Oladghobad and Rafieipour adding to the tally to make it 3-0, before Agahpour added a fourth to make it 4-0. Mamadou Toure scored France’s consolation goal for the match to end 4-1.

France lost to Portugal 4-1 in an earlier match and will be Team Melli’s next opponent in the round of 16 in Bukhara on 26th September. Winning that match, Iran will most probably meet Brazil in the quarter-finals.

France goals: Mamadou Toure (37) IR Iran goals: Salar Aghapour (25), Moslem Oladghobad (28), Alireza Rafieipour (30), Salar Aghapour (37) Player of the Match: Moslem Oladghobad (IR Iran)

Salar Aghapour

A world Class Futsal Player in the making.

Salar Aghapour, Futsal Team Melli player, formerly with Palma futsal team player, has been recently named the world’s best young player by Futsal Planet, the most prestigious futsal media outlet globally. This marks the first time in history that an Iranian has achieved this honor, highlighting Aghapour’s exceptional talent and dedication to the sport.

Aghapour led Palma to victory in the UEFA Futsal Champions League this season, showcasing his remarkable skills and leadership on the court. His contributions were pivotal in securing the championship, and his performance did not go unnoticed. Additionally, he played a crucial role in helping the Iranian national team reach the top of Asia, further cementing his status as a rising star in the futsal world.

At just 24 years old, the Gohar Zamin player has already made a significant impact in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024, scoring four goals in two matches. It is not just the quantity of goals that stands out, but also the quality and skill with which he scores them. Each goal is a testament to his world-class ability, often leaving spectators in awe of their spectacular nature.

Aghapour’s skills are not limited to scoring. He is arguably the best ball distributor for Team Melli, consistently setting up his teammates with precise passes. His dribbling is also second to none, allowing him to navigate through defenses with ease. Despite being surrounded by more experienced players, Aghapour’s cool temperament and pace make him a standout performer.

His ability to remain composed under pressure and his quick decision-making on the court are qualities that set him apart from his peers. These attributes, combined with his technical prowess, suggest that Aghapour is on a path to join the elite ranks in the world of futsal. His journey is a source of inspiration for many young athletes in Iran and around the globe.

As Aghapour continues to develop and refine his game, the future looks incredibly bright for this young star. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he will continue to shape the future of futsal and bring further glory to his teams.