Category: News

Mehdi Taremi joins an elite club.

After officially signing for Inter Milan, Mehdi Taremi the Iranian talent that emerged from the Persian Gulf port city of Bushehr, has guaranteed his name in the elite of Iranian football.

What is Inter Milan?
Inter Milan, officially known as Football Club Internazionale Milano, is an Italian professional football club based in Milan, Lombardy. They are commonly referred to as Inter and colloquially known as Inter Milan in English-speaking countries. Here are some key points about them:

  1. History and Achievements:
    • Inter Milan has a rich history and is one of Italy’s most successful clubs.
    • They have won 20 Serie A titles, making them a dominant force in Italian football.
    • Additionally, Inter has secured 9 Coppa Italia trophies and 8 Supercoppa Italiana titles.
  2. Global Recognition:
    • Inter Milan enjoys global recognition due to their success, iconic blue and black striped jerseys, and passionate fan base.
    • Their matches attract the attention from football enthusiasts worldwide.
  3. Players and Coaches:
    • Over the years, Inter has had legendary players like Javier Zanetti, Giuseppe Meazza, and Alessandro Altobelli.
    • Currently, they have talented players like Lautaro Martínez, Romelu Lukaku, and Stefan de Vrij.
    • The team is currently managed by Simone Inzaghi.
    • The Iranian Striker Mehdi taremi has recently joined the club.
  4. Stadium:
    • Inter plays their home matches at the iconic San Siro Stadium (officially known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza), which they share with their city rivals, AC Milan.

In summary, Inter Milan is a storied club with a strong legacy, both domestically and internationally. Their passionate fan base and historic achievements contribute to their fame in the football world.

Taremi officially joins Inter Milan

Inter has confirmed the signing of Mehdi Taremi on a three-year contract following his departure from Porto.

The deal between Inter and the striker, who left Portugal after seeing out the end of his contract, was reached earlier this year and was confirmed after he completed his medical.

Taremi made 182 appearances for Porto after joining in 2020, scoring 91 goals in all competitions.

The Iran international enjoyed a distinguished four-year spell at the club, winning the Primeira Liga, two Portuguese Super Cups, three Portuguese Cups and the Portuguese League Cup.

Taremi is the third player to move to San Siro so far this transfer window, joining Piotr Zielinski and Josep Martinez at the club.

The Team Melli center forward has expressed his eight as the first Iranian player to join the Italian giants Internazionale of Milan. In his first interview in Milan, Taremi focused on helping his club win matches, score goals, and assist his teammates.

Striker Mehdi Taremi will weigh a total of €5.55 million on Inter Milan’s balance sheet for the fiscal year ending next June.

This is according to Italian outlet Calcio e Finanza. The outlet does note that the commissions involved in the deal are not known, however.

Now it’s official. Inter has completed the signing of Taremi on a free transfer.

The Nerazzurri confirmed the Iranian’s arrival yesterday.

Taremi has arrived on a free transfer. His contract with Porto had run out at the end of last month, meaning that he left the Portuguese giants after four years and was able to join another club without a fee.

Inter’s propensity for free transfer signings is hardly a secret.

That is the route via which all of Hakan Calhanoglu, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Andre Onana, and Marcus Thuram have arrived at the Nerazzurri in recent seasons.

And this summer, Taremi is not the only big name free transfer signing that Inter have made.

The Nerazzurri have also brought in Piotr Zielinski after his contract with Napoli ran out.

Mehdi Taremi Weighs Around €5.55M On Inter Milan Balance Sheet

Of course, even without a transfer fee, it is not as though signing Taremi has cost Inter nothing.

Calcio e Finanza note that the commissions involved in the deal have not been revealed. However, it is safe to say that there were some.

But in terms of the wages for the Iranian, Taremi is earning €3 million net per season.

Inter will not be able to apply the Growth Decree to these.

In the past, the Growth Decree would have allowed Inter to spend less on the wages of a player arriving from a foreign league like Taremi.

This would have been the result of lower taxes on the wages.

However, the Italian government scrapped the application of the policy to football last year.

Iran U20 Draw 1-1 with Uzbekistan U20, Advance to CAFA Finals

In a close encounter today, Iran’s U20 national football team battled Uzbekistan U20 to a 1-1 draw at Kormanbek Stadium in Jalalabad, Kyrgyzstan. This result secures Iran’s position as the first team to qualify for the CAFA U20 finals from Group B.

Dramatic Match with Sending Off and Coaching Decisions

The match, which kicked off at 3:00 PM Tehran time, saw Ali Hosni net the crucial goal for Iran. The goal was initially called offside but after a very lengthy delay by VAR it was accepted for Iran to take the lead.

Uzbekistan scored the equalizer through a penalty kick.

Head coach Hossein Abdi opted for a starting lineup featuring:

Arsha Shakuri in goal, a backline of Hossam Nafri, Ali Hosni, and Seyed Mahdi Mahdavi, and midfielders Sina Moazzami Tabar (substituted by Yaqub Barageh at halftime and Samir Hobobati in added time), Alireza Homaeifard, Amirmohammed Razzaq Nia, and Mahan Sadeghi (57′ Yosef Mazarah). Ismail Gholizadeh , Abolfazl Zamani ( 86′ Mobin Dehqan) Reza Ghandipour (57 Mohammed Asgari )

The match took a dramatic turn in the 71st minute when Gholizadeh received a direct red card from the referee. This decision, along with several others throughout the game, sparked protests from both benches.

Despite the Draw, Iran Advances

Despite the challenging circumstances, Iran’s U20 team managed to hold on for the draw and secure their place in the CAFA U20 finals with four points from their group-stage matches. The team’s determination and resilience will be crucial as they prepare for the Finals.

Tractor Snatches Up Skocic as New Head Coach

In a move aimed at bolstering the team for the upcoming season, Tractor Club of Tabriz has appointed Dragan Skocic, the former Iranian national team coach, as their new head coach. The announcement follows successful negotiations led by Tractor’s acting CEO, Saeed Mozafarizadeh.

Skocic emerged as the favored candidate after the club considered a number of options for the head coach position. This experienced Croatian manager boasts a distinguished resume, including stints with Croatia’s U-21 national team, clubs across the Middle East and Iran, and most notably, Iran’s senior national team (Team Melli). His trophy cabinet includes two championship titles from Slovenia and Croatia.

Skocic’s tenure with Team Melli was particularly impressive. He compiled a remarkable record of 15 wins, 1 draw, and only 2 losses – a testament to his tactical prowess. However, his successful World Cup qualification campaign with Iran was unfortunately cut short due to reported internal politics within the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI), who opted for the return of Carlos Queiroz despite Skocic’s achievements.

Skocis was a victim of backstabbing by several senior Team Melli members who were pushing the FFIRI for a return of Carlos Queiroz even though Skocic led Iran to the FIFA World Cup 2022 with relative ease and with three matches to spare.

Iran U20 defeats Turkmenistan in CAFA Cup.

Iran’s U20 football team secured a 3-0 win against Turkmenistan during the CAFA U20 Cup. Reza Ghandipour, Alireza Homaifared, and Yousef Farahel contributed to the victory with their goals. The tournament features two groups:

  • Group A: Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan.
  • Group B: Uzbekistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan.

After the group stage games, the top teams from each group will face off in the finals. Meanwhile, the second-place teams will compete for classification, and the third-place teams will play for fifth and sixth place. Here’s the upcoming schedule:

  • July 10, 2024: Uzbekistan vs. Iran at 15:00 Tehran time.
  • July 10, 2024:: Kyrgyzstan vs. Tajikistan at 19:30 Tehran time.
  • July 12, 2024:: Third-place teams from the group stage meet to determine fifth and sixth place at 17:30.
  • July 13, 2024:: Second-place teams from the group stage compete for third and fourth places at 14:30.
  • Final match: First teams from each group face off at 19:30.

Team Melli Legionnaires: Navigating Uncertain Paths

As the end of 2023/2024 season, the future prospects of Team Melli’s legionnaire players hang in the balance. Unfortunately, their performances in European leagues have been less than stellar. Let’s delve into the individual stories of these key players:

Mehdi Taremi

In the 2022/23 season, Taremi dazzled as a key player for FC Porto, scoring 22 goals in 33 Primeira Division games. However, last season, contract negotiations and reduced playing time dimmed his star. Porto’s head coach favored other players, and Taremi featured in only 23 league matches, netting 6 goals. His heart now beats for a move to Inter Milan, although no official contract has been announced yet.

Sardar Azmoun

Azmoun’s loan spell at AS Roma in Serie A didn’t pan out as expected. Despite Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga triumph, Azmoun played second fiddle to Lukaku and Dybala. His 23 appearances included just 3 starts, with 20 substitute roles. He found the net 3 times. AS Roma’s contract with Azmoun ends soon, and Leverkusen seeks offers—preferably an outright sale—to recoup their investment.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Jahanbakhsh’s stint at Feyenoord was forgettable. In 16 Eredivisie matches, he failed to score. Starting in only 3 games, he spent most of his time as a substitute. Feyenoord has let go of the 30-year-old captain and winger. Jahanbakhsh’s agents are actively scouting West European clubs, though Turkish sides have shown interest at lower wages.

Saman Ghoddos

Brentford’s Premier League journey didn’t feature Ghoddos prominently. His one-year contract expires soon, and the club shows no interest in an extension. Ghoddos made 19 appearances, mostly as a substitute, but did manage a memorable goal. His versatility caught the eye, but his next destination remains uncertain. Sweden beckons, but Ghoddos hopes for a more ambitious opportunity.

The Crucible Awaits: Team Melli’s Legionnaires

As the 2023/2024 season draws its final curtain, Team Melli’s legionnaire players find themselves at a crossroads. Their lackluster performances in European leagues cast shadows over their prospects. The stakes are high—the FIFA World Cup 2026 looms on the horizon, and Iran eyes a coveted spot among the final 48 teams.

The Unyielding Challenge

While Iran’s group isn’t insurmountable, the team’s fate hinges on its key players. Their game time and exposure to strong leagues will reverberate through every match. Can they rise to the occasion and propel Team Melli to glory?

The Race Against Time

With the 2024/25 season kicking off in August, these players face a tight schedule. Settling into new teams swiftly becomes paramount. As winter approaches, the four World Cup qualifying matches await—a litmus test for their mettle.

The arena awaits, and Team Melli’s fate hangs in the balance. Will these legionnaires seize their moment or fade into obscurity? Only time will tell.

Iran in Group A of the third round of World Cup qualifiers.

Team Melli has been drawn in group A of the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the draw that has just concluded in the Malaysian capital, Kula Lumpur.

Group A seems to be a balanced group with the defending AFC Asian Cup title holder Qatar and Uzbekistan being the strongest in the group along with Iran.

Group A
IRAN
QATAR
UZBEKISTAN
UAE
KYRGYZ REP
KOREA DPR

Group A

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 Iran000000002026 FIFA World Cup—15 Oct25 Mar20 Mar5 Sep10 Jun
2 Qatar000000005 Jun—14 Nov5 Sep10 Oct20 Mar
3 Uzbekistan00000000Fourth round10 Oct10 Jun—15 Oct20 Mar5 Sep
4 United Arab Emirates0000000010 Sep19 Nov5 Jun—14 Nov10 Oct
5 Kyrgyzstan0000000019 Nov25 Mar10 Sep10 Jun—15 Oct
6 North Korea0000000014 Nov10 Sep19 Nov25 Mar5 Jun—

The first match(es) will be played: on 5th September 2024.
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

DATETIMECOMPETETIONSTAGETEAM HOMETEAM AWAYVENUE
13-Feb-2517:152025 AFC U-20 Asian CupGROUP 'C'
IRAN
INDONESIA		Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1, Shenzhen
16-Feb-202517:152025 AFC U-20 Asian CupGROUP 'C'
YEMEN
IRAN		Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1, Shenzhen
19-Feb-202519:302025 AFC U-20 Asian CupGROUP 'C'
UZBEKISTAN
IRAN		Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch No.1, Shenzhen
2025 AFC U-20 Asian Cup
20-Mar-202519:30FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifiersRound 3 - Group A
IRAN
UAE
25-Mar-2025FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifiersRound 3 - Group A
IRAN
UZBEKISTAN
05-Jun-2025FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifiersRound 3 - Group A
QATAR
IRAN
10-Jun-2021FIFA World Cup 2026 QualifiersRound 3 - Group A
IRAN
KOREA DPR

Taremi determined to power Iran to 2026 Finals

Taremi determined to power IR Iran to 2026 Finals
www.the-afc.com – AFC ASIAN QUALIFIERSTUE, 25 JUNE, 2024

Kuala Lumpur: The pain of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s semi-final exit at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ still stings for Mehdi Taremi but, as the striker tells the-AFC.com, he is choosing to look towards the future; to his impending move to Serie A giants Inter Milan and to what he hopes will be another FIFA World Cup Finals appearance.

No nation knows semi-final heartbreak at the AFC Asian Cup quite like IR Iran; on seven occasions since 1976 – the most recent of the country’s three consecutive continental titles – Team Melli have fallen one hurdle before the tournament’s deciding match.

The latest loss remains fresh in the mind of Mehdi Taremi, the talismanic striker whose goals in recent years have been one of the drivers of his country’s qualification for the last two FIFA World Cup Finals, but who continue to fall short of a fourth AFC Asian Cup.

The 3-2 defeat to hosts Qatar – the defending champions who would go on to retain the title – in February hurt so much that Taremi has refused to watch reruns of the game and shies away from discussing the defeat.

#AsianCup2023 | Semi-final : Islamic Republic Of Iran 2 - 3 Qatar

“After the Qatar game, I never saw the game and I haven’t talked until now about that game,” he tells the-AFC.com. “I don’t want to look back and think about the past.

“We’re always thinking about what is in front of us. We’re looking forward to the next step and who we are going to play against.

“It’s still painful. I think we deserved to win the Asian Cup. We created a lot of chances there, we missed a lot of chances but that’s football.”

Missing scoring opportunities is not a characteristic often associated with Taremi. The 31-year-old hit a hat-trick against Hong Kong, China earlier this month to record his 48th goal in 804 matches as he continued his long-standing run of form for Iran.

It is his ability in front of goal that has seen Taremi establish himself among the leading scorers in European club football since his move to Portugal to join Rio Ave from Al Gharafa in Qatar before a subsequent move to Porto, where he has spent the last four seasons.

Taremi’s time on the Iberian peninsula, however, has come to an end with the expiration of his contract with the Estadio de Dragao-based club, and a new adventure in Italy with Inter Milan awaits.

“That five years, it has created this Mehdi,” he says of his time in Portugal, where he scored 112 times in 217 games in all competitions.

“I have become a more experienced guy, I have become a more professional guy and all of those people who have helped me there I appreciate all of those guys, the staff the players at Rio Ave club and at Porto as well. They have created this Mehdi.

“When you play in Asia and in Europe it’s completely different. There you have to be more professional, otherwise you cannot play at a high level.

“In Asia you have to too, but how they play there is faster and quicker and the games are at a higher level. When you play in the UEFA Champions League you have to be ready, you have to play against big players, big teams and that has made me different.”

Taremi’s ability in front of goal led to significant speculation over his next destination and, while the rumour mill generated talk of numerous possibilities, it was the newly crowned Italian champions who won the battle for his signature.

It is a move the Bushehr-born forward is relishing as it presents him with another opportunity to feature once more in the UEFA Champions League.

image content

“Inter has a strong team and from what I’ve seen on the TV the players are friendly, the team are strong and they are compact, together,” he says.

“I think there is a good feeling there between the players and the coaches. Inter is a big club and because of that I chose Inter. I want to play in Italy, I want to show myself there too.

“Since I was seven, eight years old I saw a lot of games in Italy, Spain, England, everywhere. When you watch the games you’re a supporter of the big clubs and Inter is one of those. I remember many things of Inter in the UEFA Champions League, in the league and the history of Inter and that makes me happy to go there. It convinced me to go there.

“My goal is to help the team as I can. I’ll try to do my job, scoring and assists. So let’s see what’s going to happen.”

image content

While Taremi will be adjusting to his new surroundings at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza – better known around the world as San Siro – he will also be attempting to ensure Iran qualify for another FIFA World Cup finals.

Having failed to score in his first FIFA World Cup appearance in Russia in 2018, Taremi was twice on target at Qatar 2022 against England and his aim is to improve on that tally in the Canada, Mexico and United States edition in 2026.

image content

“I always try to think about football and about my future,” he says. “I put a lot of effort each day into my job.

“The main goal is, first of all we have to go to the World Cup, and then my main goal is I have to try my best to score more than two goals at the next World Cup. So let’s see.”

2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifying Draw Mechanism

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the Asian region is an exciting journey, with teams vying for a chance to compete on the global stage. Here’s how the draw mechanism works for the third qualifying round:

Key Details:

  • Date and Location: The draw for the third qualifying round will take place on Thursday, July 7, at 10:30 a.m. in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Teams Involved: The teams participating in this round will discover their opponents during the draw.

Group Allocation Process:

  1. Seeding: Teams are divided into six seeds based on their FIFA rankings and historical performance.
    • 1st Seed: Japan, Iran, and South Korea
    • 2nd Seed: Australia, Qatar, and Iraq
    • 3rd Seed: Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Jordan
    • 4th Seed: UAE, Oman, and Bahrain
    • 5th Seed: China, Palestine, and Kyrgyzstan
    • 6th Seed: North Korea, Indonesia, and Kuwait
  2. Group Formation:
    • The process begins by drawing the ball of the sixth-seeded teams from the pot first.
    • The first team drawn from this pot is placed in Group A, the second in Group B, and the third in Group C.
    • The process continues for the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd seeds.
    • Finally, the draw concludes with the first-seeded teams being allocated to their respective groups.
  3. Group of Death:
    • The group of death refers to a challenging group with strong teams.
    • In this case, Team Melli finds itself as the first seed alongside Japan and South Korea.
    • While football progress in Asia has been remarkable, the team names and prestige still matter.
    • The presence of Australia and Qatar in the second seed, Saudi Arabia in the third seed, and the UAE in the 4th seed adds intrigue.
    • Placing the UAE in the 4th seed, Saudi Arabia in the 3rd seed, and one of Australia’s teams and Qatar in the 2nd seed next to a first-seeded team could create a formidable group.
  4. Qualification Path:
    • The top two teams from each group (3 groups of 6 teams) will qualify directly for the World Cup.
    • The third and fourth teams in each group will compete in two groups of 3 teams.
    • The winners of these smaller groups will secure the seventh and eighth quotas for Asia.
    • The remaining half of the quotas will be determined through playoff matches against teams from other continents.
  5. Ideal Group for Iran
    • IRAN – IRAQ – JORDAN -BAHRAIN -KYRGYSZTAN- KUWAIT.
  6. Worst case scenario
    • IRAN – AUSTRALIA – SAUDI ARABIA-UAE-CHINA- NORTH KOREA.

In summary, the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifying draw promises thrilling matchups, surprises, and intense battles as teams vie for their spot in the prestigious tournament. Let the journey continue!

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers Third Round explained.

The second round of double qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Asian Cup concluded on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, marking the beginning of two new chapters in Asian football.

2027 Asian Cup Qualification:

  • 18 teams secured their spots in the 2027 Asian Cup by finishing first or second in the second-round groups.
  • These 18 teams will also participate in the decisive third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifiers:

  • In this stage, the 18 qualified teams will compete in a group system, with each group containing 6 teams.
  • The top two teams from each group will directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
  • For the first time in history, the Asian continent will have 8 seats at the World Cup.
  • The remaining 6 teams will vie for the last two spots through a fourth round.
  • The fourth round will feature two groups, each comprising 3 teams. The top team from each group will secure direct qualification to the World Cup.

Draw Date:

  • The draw for the third round of the 2026 Asian World Cup qualifiers is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the headquarters of the Asian Football Confederation.

QUALIFIES TEAMS

The following teams finished first or second in their respective second-round groups:

Draw

The seeding for the draw was based on the FIFA Men’s World Rankings on 20 June 2024 (shown in parentheses below).

Each group will contain one team from each of the six pots.

Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3
 Japan (17) Iran (20) South Korea (22) Australia (23) Qatar (35) Iraq (55) Saudi Arabia (56) Uzbekistan (62) Jordan (68)
Pot 4Pot 5Pot 6
 United Arab Emirates (69) Oman (76) Bahrain (81) China (88) Palestine (95) Kyrgyzstan (101) North Korea (110) Indonesia (134) Kuwait (137)

Best case Scenario for Iran

While teams in pots 2 and 3 can spring surprises for the three leading Teams, Japan, Iran and Korea Republic, the other teams are by no means easy opponents either. However, based on ranking, location and current form, Team Melli can do with a comfortable group. The best that Iran can get in the draw next week is this group.

IRAN – IRAQ – JORDAN -BAHRAIN -KYRGYSZTAN- KUWAIT.

These teams are quite familiar for Iran and the biggest advantage will be travelling time. Three of the teams are neighbours, while the other two (Jordan and Kyrgzysran) are 2 1/2 hrs to flying time Amman while Bishkek is 3 hrs 15 minutes.
In case Iran gets North Korea and/or Australia, it will be a logistical nightmare.