Category: News

Grassroots Coaching Structure Failure

Tehran, Iran — Veteran Iranian footballer and long-time coach in the Netherlands, Amir Hashemi-Moghaddam, has strongly criticized the current structure of grassroots football in Iran following the national U17 team’s early elimination from the AFC U17 Asian Cup.

In an interview with Mehr News Agency, Hashemi-Moghaddam described the team’s failure, not just as a competitive disappointment, but as a reflection of a deeply entrenched and harmful culture in the selection of players and coaches.

“This Isn’t Just a Loss, It’s a Pattern”

“Iran’s elimination from the tournament is not just a failure,” Hashemi-Moghaddam stated. “It exposes a repeating pattern, an unhealthy tradition of appointing ‘close circle’ coaches and selecting players based on anything but merit.”

Iran’s U17 team managed only one point from three group-stage games and failed to qualify for the U17 World Cup, a major blow to a nation that has historically performed well in this age category.

The Individual-Driven Trap

Hashemi-Moghaddam pointed out that past successes were largely the result of exceptional individual talent rather than structured development.

“Our grassroots football has always relied on individual brilliance,” he explained. “But when we face tactically organized teams, we struggle. This bitter failure may actually be a blessing in disguise—an opportunity for structural reform, as Johan Cruyff once said, ‘There is a gain in every loss.’”

He emphasized the urgent need for technically qualified coaches and managers who are well-versed in modern football development systems.

The Problem of “Custom” Coaches and Players

Hashemi-Moghaddam was particularly vocal about what he called “custom” selections.

“Unfortunately, both players and coaches are often chosen not for their ability but through personal connections and influence. This is a betrayal of national football. Such selections compromise performance and block true talent from emerging.”

He warned that such practices erode fairness and destroy the credibility of development pathways.

A Weak Technical Committee

He also directed criticism at the Football Federation’s Technical Committee, and its head Majid jalali accusing it of failing to provide strategic oversight.

“This committee should be responsible for long-term planning at the grassroots level,” he said. “But in many cases, they don’t even attend youth team training sessions. There is no transparency, no consistent vision.”

Wasted Friendlies and Misguided Investments

Hashemi-Moghaddam further criticized the Federation’s approach to organizing international friendlies.

“We’ve played countless matches against regional teams like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, spending amounts equal to training camps in Europe, yet gaining almost nothing. The rationale for these games needs to be clear and performance-based.”

Subjective Talent Scouting and Club Resistance

Regarding talent identification, he described Iran’s scouting system as deeply flawed and overly subjective.

“Mistakes in player selection are rampant. Meanwhile, clubs hold excessive power and often resist releasing players to the national team. The Federation must require clubs to include U21 players in their senior squads and prioritize youth development.”

Education, Not Bodybuilding

The coach also criticized youth training methodologies, particularly for very young players.

“In countries like Germany, each province has three centers dedicated to scouting and nurturing young talent. But in Iran, base coaches are sending kids under 12 to heavy weight training instead of skill development. These outdated practices are unacceptable in modern football.”

Call for Oversight and Reform

He urged the Federation to enforce strict standards across club academies, including budgeting for youth development under Federation supervision.

“Coaches at the grassroots level must be properly certified. The Federation must supervise their qualifications and ensure that players coming from private academies are truly fit for national-level training.”

A Warning for the Future

In closing, Hashemi-Moghaddam warned of the long-term damage this failure could cause.

“This is more than a temporary setback. Missing out on the Youth World Cup means a generation of players will lose critical development opportunities. If we don’t act now to reform the system, we risk stagnation for the next ten years.”

Iran U17’s AFC Exit Sparks National Outcry and Demands for Reform

The shocking elimination of Iran’s U17 national football team from the group stages of the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has sent tremors through the nation’s footballing community. Finishing bottom of their group with just one draw and two defeats — including losses to Oman and Tajikistan — the result marks a significant downturn for a team that has historically shown strength at this age level and has qualified for the FIFA U17 World Cup on multiple occasions.

This dismal campaign has reignited longstanding concerns about the decline of football talent and overall quality in Iran. Critics have, for years, warned of deteriorating standards in grassroots development — concerns now echoed loudly in the aftermath of this failure.

A widely shared belief is that one of the root causes lies in the lack of qualified, modern youth coaching. Many coaches assigned to youth teams have not undergone standard training or certification. Nepotism and political favoritism continue to plague the selection of coaching staff. A recurring cycle of appointments involving familiar names — often backed by influential figures within and outside the federation — has long been the Achilles’ heel of Iranian football development.

One such figure is Abbas Chamanian, the current coach of the U17 team. Despite holding several posts over the years, his track record has been met with skepticism. Yet, he continues to be appointed, sparking frustration among observers who demand a merit-based, results-oriented approach to youth team management.

Abbas Chamanian – Head Coach Iran U17

The scale of the failure has now prompted an intervention by the Ministry of Sports. Minister Ahmad Donyamali has called for an urgent meeting with Football Federation President Mehdi Taj and other key officials to investigate the reasons behind the U17 team’s poor performance. Although Taj is currently attending the AFC summit in Kuala Lumpur, he emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation and has called for immediate action.

In response, Hedayat Mombini, Secretary General of the Football Federation, issued an official request for a detailed report from Majid Jalali, Director of the Federation’s Technical and Development Committee. Jalali — who had previously defended the appointment of Chamanian — is now under heavy scrutiny. He is expected to present his findings in joint meetings with both the Federation and the Ministry of Sports.

These developments signal a potential shake-up at the Federation. The future of the technical committee and the entire youth coaching structure could be on the table for reform. The public outcry and administrative pressure indicate that this failure may serve as a long-overdue wake-up call.

Majid Jalali, once a coaching instructor, now finds his own position in jeopardy. Despite his educational background, his coaching career has not yielded notable success, and his leadership in advancing coach development is being widely questioned.

The U17 team’s collapse is more than a single tournament failure — it is a stark warning of systemic issues in Iran’s football foundation. Without urgent reforms, the nation’s ability to compete and develop future stars remains at serious risk.

Iran Futsal wins against host Thailand.

Iran’s national futsal team clinched the runner-up spot in SAT Futsal championship after beating host the Thailand 6-2 .

Iran futsal team faced Thailand in its third match today (Saturday, April 12) within the framework of the Thailand four-side tournament, which ended in an emphatic victory in favor of Iran. The Iranian national futsal team played in this match with the starting lineup of Saeed Momeni, Amirhossein Gholami, Hossein Tayyibi, Salar Aghapour, and Masoud Yousef.

Iran’s goals in this match were scored by Mohammadhossein Derakhshani, Hossein Sabzi, Hossein Tayyibi (2 goals), Mohammadhossein Baziar, and Amirhossein Gholami. The national team lost to Russia 2-1 in their first match. Then they won against Kuwait. In today’s other match, Russia beat Kuwait to lift the championship title of this tournament with three wins. Iran stands second with two wins and one loss, and Thailand and Kuwait stand third and fourth, respectively.

Iran’s Football Crisis Runs Deeper Than a Youth Team Elimination


By Jalal Cheraghpour, Former National Team Coach

The recent exit of Iran’s national youth team from the AFC U-17 Asian Cup and their failure to qualify for the World Cup has turned into a familiar pattern and raised urgent questions. As someone who has spent decades within this system, I must speak plainly: this is not a one-off failure — it is the result of a systematic failure as the result of a broken foundation in our football education.

I watched closely as our team faced North Korea and Oman. What I saw wasn’t just a poor tactical display — it was a symptom of a deeper illness. The essence of football is being lost in Iran, replaced by outdated methods, poor coaching development, and misguided priorities.

The Football Federation’s Education & Training Committee, which should be shaping the future of our game, lacks both the tools and the vision to do so. They are not teaching our coaches how to truly develop players. They’re bypassing the fundamentals and pushing for results quickly, and at any cost.

This culture has trickled down to our football academies, where the emphasis is on height and strength, rather than creativity and skill. We’re building robots, not footballers. In the 2024 FIFA coaching manual, junior coaches are expected to meet a high standard of holistic development — something we’re not even close to achieving.

Shouting from the sidelines, prioritizing short-term wins, and neglecting proper infrastructure have become the norm. Is it any wonder that agility and technical flair have disappeared from our junior teams?

The question of whether Abbas Chamanian should remain the coach is beside the point. He’s served our football in many capacities. But even the best coach cannot succeed within a system that is fundamentally flawed. Until the Federation revamps its coaching philosophy and invests in true development, we will continue to stagnate and regress, not just in youth football, but across all levels of the game.

Our football deserves better. Our youth deserve better. And it begins with recognizing that the current path leads nowhere.

Iran Futsal defeats Kuwait in SAT Championshiop 2025

Iran’s men’s futsal team defeated Kuwait 5-0 in Thursday’s SAT Futsal Championship Thailand 2025.

Masoud Yousef, Hossein Tayebi, Mehdi Karimi, Hossein Sabzi and Behrouz Azimi were on target for the Iranian team.

. Iran, which entered the match with the starting lineup of Behzad Rasouli, Amirhossein Gholami, Masoud Yousef, Salar Aghapour, and Behrouz Azimi, took control of the game from the very beginning and achieved its first victory in the tournament with goals from Masoud Yousef, Mehdi Karimi, Hossein Sabzi, Behrouz Azimi, and Hossein Tayyibi.

Kuwait, which was defeated by Thailand 4-3 in the first match the day before, seems to have bigger dreams after hiring Bruno Garcia, the famous Spanish coach who led the futsal teams of Peru, Vietnam, and Japan for many years.

Iran, who lost to Russia 2-1 in its opening match, will play Thailand on Saturday.

The high-stakes four-team futsal tournament is taking place from April 9-12, 2025, at Terminal Hall, Terminal 21 Korat, Thailand.

This tournament serves as preparation for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers (September 16-24, 2025).

Saturday 12 April 2025
18.30 Thailand v Iran (Live on T Sports Channel 7)
Terminal Hall Terminal 21 Shopping Center, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Team Melli to Face Russia in Friendly Match Ahead of 2026 World Cup

The Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) has announced that Team Melli will deploy its strongest lineup in an upcoming friendly match against Russia. The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for October 6 and is expected to take place at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium—the iconic venue that hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.

According to Russian sports outlet Sport 24, which obtained details from the FFIRI, the contract for the match is set to be finalized soon. A federation representative stated, “We are awaiting confirmation, but the match will most likely be held in Moscow, and the stadium selection process is underway.”

The friendly holds significant importance for Iran as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. An FFIRI official emphasized, “This match is crucial for our World Cup preparations, which is why we will call up all our European-based stars. Our strongest squad will face Russia.”

Iran, currently topping Group A in the Asian World Cup qualifiers, has already secured its place in the 2026 tournament, becoming the second Asian team after Japan to do so. As a result, their remaining qualifiers against Qatar and North Korea in June will be largely ceremonial.

In addition to the Russia friendly, Team Melli is also set to compete in the 2024 CAFA Nations Cup, further fine-tuning their squad ahead of the global showdown in two years.
Russia’s National Team: Post-FIFA Sanctions Landscape

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia’s national team has been suspended from international competitions by both FIFA and UEFA. This has effectively barred the team from taking part in major tournaments, including qualifiers for the 2022 and now the 2026 World Cup.

In response, Russia has turned to organizing friendlies and mini-tournaments with countries outside UEFA’s jurisdiction or those maintaining neutral stances. These matches, such as the upcoming clash with Iran, offer Russia a chance to maintain competitive form and visibility on the international football stage, despite ongoing isolation from the global footballing community.


Iranian Presence in the Russian Premier League

Despite political tensions and international sanctions, footballing ties between Iran and Russia remain active, particularly at the club level. Several Iranian players have found opportunities in the Russian Premier League, showcasing their talent and strengthening bilateral football relations.

One notable example is Mohammad Mohebi, who currently plays for FC Rostov. Mohebi has impressed with his technical skill and adaptability, earning regular minutes and contributing to Rostov’s attacking play. His presence not only reflects the growing reputation of Iranian footballers abroad but also highlights Russia’s openness to talent from non-European nations amid geopolitical shifts.

As these ties grow, Iranian players may continue to seek opportunities in Russian clubs, especially as European transfers become more competitive and politically complicated.

Sardar Azmoun’s road to fame started in Russia and with Zenit St. Petersburg, he reached to peak of his achievement with league titles and winning the best striker, the first Iranian to do so in a European league.

roud Hossein hails IR Iran’s history makers

The-afc.com
Mon, 31 March, 2025

Pattaya: Naderi Hossein was beaming with pride after Iran rewrote the history books by retaining the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ title on Sunday.

Iran became the first four-time champions on top of a bit of personal history after their emphatic 8-1 win against Oman in the final as Hossein hailed the immense standard within the squad.

#ACBeachSoccer | Final : IR Iran 8 - 1 Oman

“I need to thank each and everyone of our players,” said Hossein. “We have a good team, we are a family. It’s the first time we were able to defend our title. This trophy is for the people of Iran.”

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“We have great quality but I don’t think we showed the full extent of it even with this result. 

“I said before we focus on the quality of our players. In this tournament, we are really together, we are one mind. That’s how we showed in the game.”

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Man-of-the-match Ali Mirshekari joined in the praise as he and his teammates showed their full desire and commitment until the final whistle despite holding a handsome lead in the match.

“We worked non stop,” said Mirshekari who also picked up the Most Valuable Player and Top Scorer awards.

 “We weren’t thinking about the score or the time. All we were thinking is just trying to find more goals and not conceding.”

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As for Oman, their gallant run in the tournament finally came to a halt but despite the defeat, head coach Talib Hilal was proud with how his players performed in the tournament, which included wins over Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

“I can say congratulations to Iran, they deserved to win the title,” said Hilal. “They were the better team today.

“My team was tired after playing three tough matches against high quality opposition in four days. Overall, it’s still good for us to be runners-up.”

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“We played well but fatigue didn’t help the players. When we’re tired, we lose concentration easily and some of the goals were because of mistakes but I don’t blame them because the game was played in high intensity.”

Iran, Oman and Japan will lead Asia’s challenge at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 in May.

UAE Shocks Football World by Sacking Paulo Bento After Narrow Win Over North Korea

Dubai – In a surprising move, the United Arab Emirates Football Association (UAEFA) has dismissed  the Portuguese Paulo Bento as head coach of the national team—just hours after a dramatic 2-1 victory over North Korea kept their slim 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive.

The decision has left many observers puzzled, as the UAE remains in contention for a direct qualification spot. They currently sit four points behind second-placed Uzbekistan in Group A of the third round of Asian qualifiers, with two matches remaining. The top two teams from each group secure automatic entry to the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Bento, who took charge in July 2023, was relieved of his duties alongside his entire coaching staff. The UAEFA announced the decision on social media without providing further details.

Why the Sudden Move?

Despite the win over North Korea—sealed by a late stoppage-time goal—the UAE’s recent form has been inconsistent. A 2-0 loss to Iran just days earlier had already put pressure on Bento’s position.

However, the team still has a realistic chance:

  • Direct qualification: If they overtake Uzbekistan in the final two matches.
  • Playoff route: Finishing third or fourth would enter them into an additional playoff round for one of Asia’s eight guaranteed World Cup spots.

Bento’s Track Record

The 55-year-old Portuguese manager is no stranger to high-stakes football:

  • Led South Korea to the 2022 World Cup knockout stage.
  • Guided Portugal to the Euro 2012 semifinals.
  • Took over the UAE after their previous coach, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, was dismissed.

Meanwhile, Iran became the first team from Group A to secure World Cup qualification after a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan.

The sudden dismissal raises questions about the UAEFA’s long-term vision, especially with crucial matches looming. Who will replace Bento—and can they salvage the UAE’s World Cup dreams?

Framarz Zelli passes away

Tehran – Faramarz Zelli, the former Team Melli goalkeeper and a pioneer of Iranian football, passed away today in Tehran at the age of 83.

A stalwart between the posts, Zelli was part of Iran’s golden generation, contributing to some of the nation’s most historic football achievements. He was a member of the legendary 1968 squad that clinched Iran’s first-ever AFC Asian Cup, etching his name in the annals of Iranian football history. At the club level, he made further history by winning the 1970 Asian Club Championship with Taj (now Esteghlal), marking the first time an Iranian club lifted the continental trophy.

Zelli enjoyed a distinguished domestic career, winning multiple Iranian league titles and Hazfi Cup trophies with Taj and later Pas Tehran. His international journey also included a milestone appearance at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where he was part of Iran’s first-ever squad at a major global tournament.

Though often serving as a backup goalkeeper for Team Melli, Zelli was revered for his unwavering passion, dedication, and loyalty to Iranian football. His legacy extends beyond his on-field contributions, as he remained a respected figure in the sport long after his retirement.

The football community mourns the loss of a true legend, whose career helped pave the way for future generations of Iranian players.

Iran Beach Soccer rules supreme after winning the Fourth title.

The-AFC.com
Pattaya:

Iran reigned supreme again at the AFC Beach Soccer Asian Cup™ after they defended their title with an 8-1 win against Oman in the Thailand 2025 final on Sunday.

It was a historic occasion for Iran as they not only emerged back-to-back champions for the first time but Sunday’s triumph puts them ahead of Japan as the only four-time champions.

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The first period settled into a pattern from the opening whistle with Iran dominating possession while Oman looked to hit on the counter. 

Oman custodian Younis Al-Owaisi had to be alert to block efforts from Mahdi Shirmohammadi and Movahed Mohammapour before his opposite number Seyedmahdi Mirjalili pushed away an attempt from Nooh Al Zadjali.

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Iran found the breakthrough a minute before the end of the first period when Seyedmohammad Dastan’s long range effort was saved by Amjad Al-Hamdani but Shirmohammadi leaped high into the air to nod home the rebound.

The defending champions stepped up another gear in the second half, doubling their lead in the 15th minute after Reza Amiri smashed a free-kick home with the final bounce off the sand taking the ball away from the gloves of Al-Owaisi.

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Iran made it 3-0 two minutes later, Movahed Mohammadpour with a beautifully executed overhead kick that ended up in the top corner of Oman’s goal.

Despite holding a substantial lead, Iran were relentless in pursuing more and duly added to their advantage in the 18th minute when Seyed Nazem steered a first-time effort home before Ali Mirshekari blasted in two minutes later with a free-kick.

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Oman pulled a goal back seconds later after Sami Al Bulushi was left unmarked at the far post to sweep home but the 2015 champions conceded another in the 22nd minute with Mirshekari getting his second in the game.

The final period saw a battling performance from Oman but it made little difference with Iran’s Mohammadali Mokhtari adding to the score in the 32nd and 36th minutes to cap the emphatic win. 

AFC BEACH SOCCER ASIAN CUP
ROLL OF HONOR

TeamTitlesRunners-upThird placeFourth placeTotal
 Iran4 (2013, 2017, 2023, 2025)5 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015)1 (2009)10
 Japan3 (2009, 2011, 2019)6 (2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2015, 2023)2 (2017, 2025)11
 United Arab Emirates2 (2007*, 2008*)2 (2017, 2019)1 (2013)2 (2011, 2023)7
 Oman1 (2015)2 (2011*, 2025)3 (2009, 2019, 2023)6
 Bahrain1 (2006)1 (2009)1 (2007)3
 China2 (2006, 2008)2
 Lebanon2 (2015, 2017)2
 Australia1 (2013)1
 Palestine1 (2019)1
 Saudi Arabia1 (2025)1