Category: News

Futsal Team called for Thailand Tournament

Iran, Kuwait and Russia have been confirmed as the opponents for the Thailand Futsal national team ahead of next month’s SAT Futsal Championship 2025.

Towards that, Thailand Futsal head coach Miguel Rodrigo has named a training squad of 22 players for the tournament slated for 9-12 April 2025 at the Terminal Hall, Terminal 21 Shopping Mall in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Thailand will take on Kuwait on 9 April 2025, Russia a day later and then Iran on 12 April 2025.

Iran squad has been announced today as follows:
Hossein Tayyibi – Moslim Oladghobad – Salar Aghapour – Mohammad Hossein Derakhshani – Mehdi Karimi – Masoud Yousef – Amir Hossein Davoudi – Behrouz Azimi – Mehdi Rostamiha – Hossein Sabzi – Mojtaba Parsapour – Amir Hossein Dehghani – Mohammad Hossein Baziar – Saeed Momeni – Amir Hossein Gholami – Sajjad Yousefkhah – Ali Akrami – Saeed Mombini – Abolfazl Afzali – Behzad Rasouli .

According to the announced program, the invited players are required to be available for the national team staff at the National Futsal Center.
Iran will face Russia on 9th April and will play Kuwait on April 10th, and the host Thailand on April 11. The camp will be held while Mahmoud Khorzachi, Mohammad Taheri and Kazem Sadeghi will replace Shahabuddin Sefalmanesh, Siamak Dadashi and Asghar Ghahramani in the national team’s coaching staff.

on the other hand, a new addition to Futsal Team Melli has been announced. Media reports suggest that 52-year-old coach Spanish coach David Ramos Barragán is expected to travel to Iran to finalize his contract with the federation. Barragan will be the assistant to Shamsaei.

In 2019, Ramos, while with Vina Albali Valdepeñas in Spain’s top futsal league, established himself as one of Europe’s prominent futsal coaches.

His collaboration with Vahid Shamsaei could enhance Iran’s national futsal team in both technical and tactical dimensions, marking a pivotal moment in the team’s preparation for upcoming competitions.

Additionally, Ramos has previously worked with Iranian futsal star Saeid Ahmad Abbasi for two years at Vina Albali.

More players invited to Team Melli camp.

Following the latest Persian Gulf League matches, Team Melli selectors have added seven more players to the current 21-man squad in camp.

According to the coaching staff, the newly invited players are as follows:

  • Goalkeepers: Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor), Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Esteghlal)
  • Defenders: Shoja Khalilzadeh (Tractor), Saleh Hardani (Esteghlal), Roozbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal)
  • Midfielders: Amir Mohammad Razaghnia (Gol Gohar Sirjan)
  • Forwards: Amir Hossein Hosseinzadeh (Tractor)

The newly selected players will join the rest of the squad on Monday as preparations begin for the upcoming double-header against the UAE and Uzbekistan.

Perhaps the most notable inclusion among the new call-ups is 18-year-old Amir Mohammad Razaghnia. The talented midfielder has already made a name for himself at the youth level, having won the MVP award in a tournament held in Belarus. His selection signals a potential shift in head coach Amir Ghalenoei’s approach, showing a greater willingness to incorporate young talent into the national team setup.

However, the continued presence of Shoja Khalilzadeh in the squad suggests that Ghalenoei is not yet ready to part ways with his experienced core. While his selection brings valuable leadership and experience, it also highlights the ongoing balance between youth development and reliance on seasoned veterans within Team Melli.

Daniyal Eiri

Daniyal Eiri and Mohammad Khalifa Earn First National Team Call-Ups

Amir Ghalenoei has announced a 21-man squad for Iran’s upcoming Nowrooz 1404 matches against the UAE and Uzbekistan in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Among the call-ups, two 20-year-old talents—Daniyal Eiri and Mohammad Khalifa—have been invited to the national team camp for the first time.

Daniyal Eiri, a promising young defender, emerged from the Zob Ahan academy and played for the Isfahan-based club in the first half of the season. However, due to military service obligations, he transferred to Malavan Bandar Anzali for the second half of the campaign. His departure from Zob Ahan was controversial, as his strong performances led to public criticism from head coach Mohammad Rabiei and then-CEO Nima Nakisa. Despite their objections, Iri ultimately joined Malavan, where he has since become a key player under head coach Maziar Zare.

Eiri Reflects on His Journey and Team Melli Call-Up

In an interview with Mehr, Eiri shared his thoughts on his journey to the national team and his ambitions moving forward.

“I am very happy. From the start of pre-season training, I gave my all to improve and stay on the path to progress. When I officially heard about my national team invitation, I was overjoyed because I felt like I had achieved part of my goal. But I know that staying in the national team is even more important than being invited.”

He also expressed gratitude to those who have supported his development.

“First, I want to thank Zob Ahan for the opportunities they provided me. I also appreciate Coach Rabiei, who introduced me to professional football in Iran. Due to my circumstances, I moved to Malavan, where Coach Maziar Zare placed his trust in me. His support has played a major role in my journey, and I owe a lot to him.”

Eiri also acknowledged the national team staff for their confidence in him.

“I am grateful to Coach Ghalenoei and the entire coaching staff. It is a great honor to be in the same camp as some of Iran’s greatest footballers. But from today, my focus is on proving myself and earning my place in the squad so I can serve the national team and the people of Iran.”

On Malavan’s Performance and the loss against Persepolis.

Eiri also reflected on Malavan’s recent 2-0 loss to Persepolis.

“It was a tough match. We went in with the mindset of getting a result, and we played bravely. Persepolis is the reigning champion and a strong contender again this season, with high-quality players. If we had taken our chances better, we could have achieved a different outcome. Now, we must turn our attention to the next matches and continue Malavan’s strong performances this season.”

With his first national team call-up, Iri now has the opportunity to showcase his talent on a bigger stage. His determination and rapid development suggest he could play a crucial role in Iran’s future defensive lineup.
It is noted that along with Amin Hezbavi and Arya Yousefi, Iri competes a trio of young talented defenders that is going to taken over the aging and vulnerable Team Melli defensive line.

Team Melli head coach announces 21-Player Squad for Upcoming Matches

The head coach of Iran’s national football team, Amir Ghalenoei, has unveiled a 21-player squad for the upcoming two matches against UAE and Uzbekistan in the qualifying rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026. This selection reflects a more refined approach to the domestic Premier League, as Ghalneoi and his assistants appear to have been actively scouting new talent.

After facing criticism for previous call-ups, which was mainly the same old players, Ghalenoei has adjusted his selection strategy, omitting two players who were deemed to have underperformed—one of whom is Saeed Saharkhizan, a promising young talent who has struggled in recent months. The other is more experienced yet short of form, Shahriar Moghanloo , who plays alongside Ghaedi and Ghoddos in Ittihad Kalba in the UAE league, who is absent from the new squad.

One of the most significant inclusions is Ali Alipour, the Persepolis striker and current top scorer in the Premier League. His selection is widely regarded as a positive move, bringing in-form domestic talent into the Team Melli setup. While some invitees have seen a dip in form at their respective clubs, the overall process of generational transition within the national team appears to be on the right track.

Premier League Representation in the Squad

Although foreign-based players still constitute the majority of the squad, the selection from Iran’s domestic league is notable. Sepahan leads the way with four representatives: Payam Niazmand, Amin Hezbavi, Arya Yousefi, and Mohammad Karimi. Persepolis follows with three players—Milad Mohammadi, Hossein Kanani, and Ali Alipour. Malavan contributes two players, Omid Norafkan and Daniyal A. Rey, while Aluminum Arak (Mohammad Khalifa) and Foolad (Ali Nemati) also have players in the squad.

Several newcomers have made the list, including:

  • Ali Alipour (Persepolis) – Strictly speaking,the Premier League’s top scorer with 10 goals, is not new in Team Melli. He has been called before but not managed to be a fixture in the squad.
  • Mohammad Khalifa (Aluminum Arak) – A promising young goalkeeper who has shown remarkable form for his club.
  • Daniyal A. Rey (Malavan) – A 20-year-old defender who played the first half of the season at Zob Ahan. He is a player that made a big impact with his club and his form earned praise from critics.

National Team Preparations

To fine-tune the squad before the decisive matches against the UAE and Uzbekistan, Ghalenoei has planned to observe two domestic match on Sunday: Zob Ahan vs. Esteghlal Tehran and a separate fixture involving Tractor Tabriz. More players are expected to be added to the list. Additionally, Gol Gohar Sirjan’s inclusion of new players in the camp suggests that the team will enter these crucial encounters with a refreshed and competitive lineup.

With a blend of experienced legionnaires and emerging domestic talents, Iran’s national team aims to strengthen its position in the upcoming fixtures.

The 21 players list:


GOALKEEPERS:
Payam Niazam (Sepahan), Mohammad Khalifa (Aluminum),

Defenders:

Milad Mohammadi and Mohammad Hossein Kananizadegan (Persepolis),
Omid Norafkan and Danial Ai Ray (Malvan),
Ali Nemati (Foulad),
Amin Hezbawi and Aria Yousefi (Sepahan),

Midfielders:

Mohammad Mohebi (Rostov, Russia),
Mehdi Ghaedi and Saman Ghodoos (Etihad Kalba UAE),
Saeed Ezzatollahi (Shabab Al-Ahli, UAE),
Mohammad Ghorbani (Al-Wahda, UAE),
Mohammad Karimi (Sepahan),
Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Heerenveen, Netherlands),
Ali Gholizadeh (Lakh Poznan, Poland),

Forwards:

Mehdi Taremi (Inter Milan, Italy),
Javad Hosseinnejad (Dynamo Makhachkala, Russia),
Ali Alipour (Persepolis),
Sardar Azmoun (Shabab Al-Ahli, UAE).

Winners and Losers: Team Melli’s Selection Dilemma

With just two weeks remaining before the crucial encounter against the UAE at Azadi Stadium, head coach Amir Ghalenoei faces significant selection challenges. Historically, Ghalenoei has adopted a highly conservative approach when choosing his squad, often favoring experienced players over those in better current form.

This upcoming match is of paramount importance, as a victory will secure Iran’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Even a draw may suffice, depending on the results of other teams. However, since Team Melli’s last game in early 2024, the squad’s landscape has changed significantly. Some of the previously established players have failed to justify their continued inclusion, while overlooked talents have demonstrated exceptional form. Additionally, a few former players have produced such consistent performances that, despite their age, they have earned serious consideration for a recall.

This article evaluates key players based on their recent form, discussing those who merit a place in the squad and those whose selection is now in question.

Current Players and Their Form

Sardar Azmoun: Without a doubt, Sardar Azmoun has been the standout performer among the current squad. The Shabab Al-Ahli forward has displayed impressive goal-scoring prowess in the UAE Pro League, proving his value to Team Melli. Despite concerns over his attitude—one of the reasons behind his departure from Bayer Leverkusen—Azmoun’s commitment and talent remain undeniable. His presence in the squad is essential.

Mehdi Taremi

Unlike Azmoun, Mehdi Taremi is experiencing a decline in form. This downturn is largely attributed to his ill-advised move to Inter Milan, where he has struggled for playing time. With two world-class forwards ahead of him, Taremi’s opportunities have been limited, and when given chances, he has failed to impress. However, given the lack of strong alternatives, he is still likely to retain his place as Azmoun’s strike partner.

Mehdi Ghayedi: The fleet-footed winger has been in outstanding form despite playing for a lower-tier club. His ability to score and assist, even against top teams, has significantly boosted his reputation. Ghayedi’s inclusion in the squad seems assured, though Ghalenoei may still view him as an impact player rather than a guaranteed starter.

Alireza Beiranvand

Once a permanent fixture in Team Melli’s lineup, Beiranvand’s recent performances have been deeply concerning. Now playing for Tractor, the goalkeeper has made a series of high-profile errors, exposing his long-standing weaknesses. His decision-making, particularly under pressure, remains questionable, especially when playing out from the back. Given his recent form, his place in the squad is far from secure.

Seyed Hossein Hosseini: Unlike Beiranvand, Esteghlal’s Hosseini has been in outstanding form. He has proven to be the best-performing goalkeeper in Iran’s domestic league, showcasing exceptional shot-stopping ability, awareness, and composure under pressure. Based on merit, he deserves to start ahead of Beiranvand, but it remains to be seen whether Ghalenoei will break from tradition and give him the starting role.

Saman Ghoddos

The former Brentford midfielder has had a mixed season in the UAE Pro League. While he has shown flashes of brilliance, inconsistency has been a concern, as his performances have fluctuated from match to match. Nevertheless, Ghoddos remains an integral part of the squad, as no other player has convincingly challenged him for his position.

Saeid Ezatollahi

Ezatollahi’s performances remain underwhelming, continuing his trend of inconsistency. He has struggled to hold down a starting position at his club and is particularly vulnerable when facing faster, more agile opponents. Fortunately, Team Melli has solid alternatives in midfield, with Ghorbani and Mohammad Karimi emerging as strong contenders to replace him.

Mohammad Mohebbi

Despite recent injury concerns, Mohebbi has been a standout performer in the Russian Premier League. A key player for Rostov, his consistent displays have earned him a well-deserved place in the national team setup.

Players Earning a Stronger Reputation

Alireza Koushki: The 25-year-old Esteghlal forward has been in remarkable form in recent weeks, showcasing skill, agility, and a keen eye for goal. Although he started the season as a bench player occasionally used in league matches, through hard work and determination, he managed to gain the confidence of the various Esteghlal coaches. His recent performances have positioned him as a valuable backup option for Taremi and Azmoun.

Ramin Rezaeian

The veteran full-back has been enjoying a career resurgence. His versatility has allowed him to excel in multiple roles at Esteghlal, making him an attractive option for Team Melli. Rezaeian is also known for his ability to score spectacular goals, and his form suggests he is a top contender for a national team recall.

HAs been one of the outstanding League player for Esteghlal showing commitment and leadership that is sometimes lacking in Iranian players.

Mehdi Limouchi: A highly-rated prospect, Limouchi is being touted as Iran’s next big goal-scoring sensation. However, he is far more than just a forward—his ability to operate on the wings and in midfield adds to his appeal. Despite the depth in Team Melli’s attacking options, Limouchi has a strong case for a spot in the squad.

Mohammadreza Akhbari: The Gol Gohar Sirjan goalkeeper has been one of the standout performers in the Iranian league this season. He has managed to keep 12 clean sheets in 19 matches, an impressive feat for a player from a mid-table team. Akhbari was called to Team Melli several times, but never managed to maintain a regular place in the squad.

Based on his performances, he has arguably done enough to secure the No. 2 spot behind Hosseini, ahead of Beiranvand. It remains to be seen if Ghalenoei has a similar opinion on this gallant and towering keeper.

Final Thoughts

As Iran prepares for this crucial World Cup qualifier, Amir Ghalenoei faces tough decisions in squad selection. While loyalty to experienced players is understandable, it must not come at the expense of form and performance. Some long-established names are struggling, while new and returning talents have staked strong claims for inclusion.

Whether Ghalenoei adapts his approach or remains steadfast in his conservatism could determine Team Melli’s success not just in this match but also in their long-term preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

IRAN U20 defeats rival Uzbekistan to lead the group.

Shenzhen: Iran beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in their final AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C tie at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 on Wednesday.

Iran, in winning all three group matches, will meet the runners-up of Group D in the quarter-finals while defending champions Uzbekistan will play the top team. 

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With both teams having already qualified prior to their clash, Uzbekistan started without striker Muhammadali Urinboev while Iran kept Esteghlal FC midfielder Abolfazl Zamani, who scored a brace in their 6-0 win over Yemen, on the bench.

Iran had the lion’s share of possession early on, and had the first look at goal in the 19th minute when Yousef Mazraeh’s shot from just outside the box deflected off a defender and sailed over the bar. 

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The Central Asian side tried again in the 38th minute, when Alireza Homaeifard’s cross set up Esmaeil Gholizadeh, who with only custodian Muhammadyusf Sobirov to beat, fumbled his attempt by shooting straight at the onrushing keeper.

Sobirov then got his hands on a header from Hesam Nafari from the ensuing corner when he saved the latter’s close-range attempt in a packed goalmouth.

Group C – MD3: Uzbekistan v Iran

The Uzbekistan keeper, however, undid all his good work in the 52nd minute when he failed to hold Mazraeh’s stinging shot from outside the box and despite his frenzied attempts, could only watch as the ball bounced into the back of his net. 

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There was more misery for Sobirov in the 64th minute when he brought down Abolfazl Moredi, with Gholizadeh duly converting the penalty.  

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Urinboev made his appearance in the 69th minute, and made his presence felt 10 minutes later when half-volleyed the ball from the centre of the box past a diving Arsha Shakouri to pull one back for Uzbekistan.

Iran almost got their third in the 84th minute, when Pouria Shahrabadi dribbled a defender on the edge of the box and sent a blistering shot that bounced off the bar but it didn’t matter as they took the points.

MATCH STATS

Uzbekistan1–2IR Iran
Uzbekistan
12 M. Sobirov GK
2 S. Khamidov DF
4 G’. Rizoqulov 57‎’ ‎ DF
5 A. To’lqunbekov 69‎’ ‎DF
13 B. Jumatov DF
6 R. Khavrullaev MF
7 D. Tukhsanov MF
9 S. Saidnurullaev 69‎’ ‎MF
17 O. Karimov  57‎’ ‎MF
19 R. Fomin 68‎’‎ MF
23 A. Khaydarov FW

Substitutes
3 M. Zokhidov 57‎’‎
10 M. O’rinboyev 69‎’‎81‎’‎
15L. Mirzayev 69‎’ ‎
16M. Reimov 68‎’ ‎
22A. Jumayev 57‎’‎
Manager-Farkhod Nishanov		Iran
1 Arsha Shakouri 84‎’ ‎GK
2 Nima Andarz DF
3 Hesam Nafari DF
13 Ali Hassani 22‎’ ‎DF
4 Alireza Homaeifard DF
6 Samir Hoboobati 46‎’ ‎MF
8 Amir Razzaghinia MF
14 Abbas Kahrizi 55‎’ ‎MF
20 Yousef Mazraeh 25‎’‎52‎’‎70‎’ ‎MF
7 Esmaeil Gholizadeh 66‎’‎70‎’ ‎FW
21 Abolfazl Moredi 90‎+‎5‎’ ‎FW

Substitutes
15 Mobin Dehghan 55‎’‎
17 M. Dindar 46‎’‎
18 Abolfazl Zoleikhaei 90‎+‎5‎’‎
19 P. Shahrabadi 70‎’‎
23 Sina Moazemitabar 70‎’‎
Manager-Hossein Abdi

IRAN U20 starts with a thump.

Shenzhen: Iran outplayed Indonesia 3-0 in their opening AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C match at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium on Thursday. 

Goals from Hesam Nafari, Esmaeil Gholizadeh and Mobin Dehghan placed the four-time champions in pole position with Uzbekistan, who beat Yemen 1-0 in the opening Group C match earlier.

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Iran piled on the pressure from the first blow of the referee’s whistle and received dividends in the fifth minute when the ball bounced off defender Nafari in a packed penalty box and into the net.

They had another attempt at goal in the 18th minute but Amirmohammad Razaghinia’s header from point blank range was kept out by custodian Achmad Zidan Rosyid.

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An unmarked Reza Ghandipour then wasted a golden opportunity when he mistimed his bicycle kick in the 35th minute with only Zidan to beat.

Indonesia had their first real look at goal in the 39th minute when Toni Firmansyah’s fierce shot from outside the box had goalkeeper Arsha Shakouri at full stretch to prevent an equalizer.

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They continued with their offensive play after the break, with Jens Raven failing to connect to a well-placed cross from Marselinus Ola.

Marselinus could have equalized in the 57th minute when he evaded three defenders, only for the keeper’s outstretched leg to foil his close-range attempt.

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Iran found their second in the 63rd minute courtesy of Gholizadeh, who unleashed a spectacular volley from a floating Nima Andarz cross that flew past a diving Zidan.

A Gholizadeh corner in the 70th minute saw midfielder Dehghan out-jumping the Indonesian defence to head home IR Iran’s third from close quarters.  

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Iran will look for their second win when they meet Yemen on Matchday 2 while Indonesia will take on Uzbekistan, with both ties to be contested on Sunday. 

MATCH STATS

Iran
 Hesam Nafari, Esmaeil Gholizadeh and Mobin Dehghan		3–0Indonesia
Iran
1 Arsha ShakouriGK
3 Hesam Nafari 
5‎ Erfan Darvish Aali
7 Esmaeil Gholizadeh 
8 Amirmohammad Razzaghinia
9. Yaghoub Barajeh
10 Reza Ghandipour
11 Mahan Sadeghi 
15 Mobin Dehghan 
17 Mohammad Dindar 
18 Abolfazl Zoleikhaei

Substitutes:
2 Nima Andarz 58‎’‎ ->Razzaghinia
6 S. Hoboobati 81‎’‎ -> Sadeghi
16 A. Zamani 58‎’ -> Dindar
19P. Shahrabadi 87‎’‎ -> Ghandipour
20 Y. Mazraeh 81‎’ -> Dehghan
Manager-Hossein Abdi		Indonesia
23 I. Al Giffari GK
3 A. Zidan 52‎’‎ MF
4 K. Arel DF
5 A. Buffon DF
7 A. Abdulmanan 46‎’‎MF
9 J. Raven 86‎’‎FW
10 W. Jardim 79‎’‎MF
16 D. PamungkasDF
18 T. FirmansyahMF
19 M. Ragil 79‎’‎MF
21 I. GwijanggeDF


Substitutes
6 E. Florasta 79‎’‎Sub
11 J. Pahlevi 86‎’‎Sub
12 F. Bagus 52‎’‎Sub
15 M. Ola 46‎’‎Sub
20 A. Rahman 79‎’‎Sub
Manager-Indra Sjafri

Tabnak Exposes New Financial Violations in Iranian Football

T

A 10‑page report from the General Accounting & Audit of Iran—published by Tabnak News Agency—has revealed new dimensions of financial misconduct by senior officials within the Iranian Football Federation and the League Organization.

According to the report, the General Inspectorate is set to launch an investigation in the summer of 2024 into the financial documents and statements of both the League Organization and the Football Federation. This probe, described as an examination of the status, resources, and financial expenditures of the Iranian Football League Organization, is expected to scrutinize irregularities that have long been suspected.

The investigation has uncovered that top executives from both the Football Federation and the League Organization have registered a private company—also named the “Iranian Football League Organization”—into which a substantial portion of the federation’s domestic revenues is being funneled.

In recent months, headlines have been dominated by reports of staggering fines imposed by the federation’s disciplinary committee on clubs, players, and coaches. For instance, on January 7, 1403, the “Javan” newspaper—the media outlet of the Revolutionary Guards—reported that fines levied on Iranian football players and clubs between September and the end of December 2024 had generated a staggering figure of at least 54 billion tomans (US$ 1.3 million) in revenue for the federation.

Now, newly released documents from the Inspection Organization indicate that these funds were deposited into a private company managed by Mehdi Taj.

Mehdi Taj, who originally led the FFIRI from 2016 until 2019, resigned abruptly—citing ill-health—amidst allegations of financial misappropriation, corruption, secret contracts, and excessive payments to the Belgian coach of Team Melli, Marc Wilmott. Despite these serious concerns raised by both observers and government entities, Taj emerged unscathed and was re-elected as the federation’s president in 2022 under questionable circumstances. This election saw all the candidates drop one by one leaving Taj as the major candidate.

Even after several audits and investigations, including the largest corruption scandal in Iranian football history —during which referees were caught accepting bribes and the head of the referees committee was imprisoned—Mehdi Taj continues to deny any wrongdoing. His resilience, bolstered by strong support from influential figures within the Revolutionary Guards, has allowed him to remain in power.

This latest round of accusations, one among many leveled against the powerful IRGC operative who appears to be backed by top regime figures, could prove to be the final blow in Taj’s career. The question now remains: will he once again perform a Houdini act and escape accountability?

List of Iran U20 squad for Asian Cup is announced.

The coaching staff of the Iran’S U20 football team short-listed the names of 23 players as the official squad for the AFC U-20 Cup in Shenzhen, China, after reviewing the status of the players present in the camp.

The 2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup will be the 42nd edition of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup (including previous editions of the AFC Youth Championship and AFC U-19 Championship), the biennial international youth football championship organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the men’s under-20 national teams of Asia.

Uzbekistan are the title holders, having won the title in 2023.

The Iran U20 team will play in Group C of the AFC U-20 Cup with Indonesia, Yemen and defending champion Uzbekistan. The schedule of the Iranian team’s matches is as follows:

SQUAD LIST

The names of the players of the Iranian youth football team are as follows: Arsha Shakuri, Mohammad Gandomi, Armin Abbasi, Alireza Homaeifard, Hessam Nafri, Erfan Darvish Ali, Ali Hassani, Nima Andarz, Sina Moazami Tabar, Yaqoub Barajeh, Mohammad Dindar, Samir Habobati, Abolfazl Zamani, Abolfazl Zolaikhaei, Mobin Dehghan, Mahan Sadeghi, Amir Mohammad Razaghinia, Pouria Shahrabadi, Esmaeil Gholizadeh, Yousef Mazra, Abbas Kahrizi, Abolfazl Mordi and Reza Ghandipour.

Competition Schedule Group C


Thursday, February 13, 2025

GROUP STAGE – Group C

UZBEKISTAN vs YEMEN SHENZHEN YOUTH FOOTBALL TRAINING BASE PITCH 1 (SHENZHEN)

IRAN vs INDONESIA SHENZHEN YOUTH FOOTBALL TRAINING BASE CENTRE STADIUM  (SHENZHEN)

Sunday, February 16, 2025

YEMEN vs IRAN SHENZHEN YOUTH FOOTBALL TRAINING BASE PITCH 1 (SHENZHEN)

INDONESIA vs UZBEKISTAN YOUTH FOOTBALL TRAINING BASE CENTRE STADIUM  (SHENZHEN)

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

UZBEKISTAN vs IRAN SHENZHEN YOUTH FOOTBALL TRAINING BASE PITCH 1 (SHENZHEN)

INDONESIA vs YEMEN YOUTH FOOTBALL TRAINING BASE CENTRE STADIUM (SHENZHEN)

Team Melli’s Mini-Training Camp Canceled Amid Speculations Over Player Selection

Team Melli’s proposed mini-training camp has been canceled at the request of league coaches, according to head coach Amir Ghalenoei. Speaking briefly to reporters during the Persepolis vs. Havadar match, Ghalenoei expressed regret for not elaborating further, citing illness due to the flu. He assured the media that a comprehensive press conference would be held soon to provide updates on Team Melli’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in March, where they are set to face the UAE and Uzbekistan.

In the meantime, Iranian football circles are abuzz with rumors surrounding a potential new addition to the national team—a 27-year-old Iranian-German striker, Yerai Eckert Ayensa, currently playing for the Belgian side Standard Liège. Reports suggest that Eckert is on the brink of receiving a call-up for Team Melli’s upcoming matches.

However, Eckert’s performance this season has raised questions about the merit of his potential inclusion. In 13 appearances for Standard Liège—12 starts and one substitute appearance—he has accumulated 1,060 minutes of playing time, registering just one goal against Charleroi and one assist against Saint-Truiden. Such modest statistics hardly make a compelling case for a national team selection, especially for a squad boasting one of the strongest attacking lineups in Asia, led by Sardar Azmoun and Mehdi Taremi.

Sayyadmanesh vs. Eckert: A Tale of Contrasting Performances

The speculation over Eckert’s call-up becomes even more puzzling when compared to the standout performances of Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, another Iranian player excelling in the same Belgian Pro League. The 22-year-old forward, who previously represented Team Melli, has been a consistent performer for Westerlo this season. By the 20th week of the league, Sayyadmanesh had featured in all 20 matches, contributing six goals and five assists—far surpassing Eckert’s output.

Despite his superior form and younger age, Sayyadmanesh appears to be overlooked by Ghalenoei, sparking debate about the rationale behind the rumored interest in Eckert. Both players are versatile, capable of playing as center forwards or wingers. However, at 27, Eckert is four years older than Sayyadmanesh, making the argument for youth and potential less convincing.

Transfer Value and Player Caliber

Another point of comparison is their market value. On Transfermarkt, Eckert is valued at €2.5 million, while Sayyadmanesh’s valuation stands at €4 million—a reflection of the latter’s higher standing in international football. While transfer value isn’t the sole determinant of a player’s worth to the national team, it offers an indicator of their performance and potential.

Given these considerations, the idea of inviting Eckert—whose current form is far from ideal—over Sayyadmanesh raises eyebrows. If there is no place for a proven, younger talent in Team Melli’s camp, what justifies the attention toward a player with less impressive statistics?

As Team Melli gears up for crucial World Cup qualifiers, such decisions will inevitably come under scrutiny. Fans and analysts alike will await Amir Ghalenoei’s forthcoming press conference for clarity on the direction and priorities of the national team.