Abdul Kazem Taleghani, a member of the Football Federation Executive Committee, claimed that Queiroz’s contract has been extended to the AFC Asian Cup 2019, and there is hope that the Team Melli head coach’s contract will be extended to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Mehdi Taj has long claimed that the federation will continue to co-operate with the Portuguese coach, while foreign media reports indicate the end of the partnership between Queiroz and the Iranian Football Federation. Carlos Queiroz, however, left Tehran to Lisbon without any comments on the subject matter, thus strongly strengthening the speculation about the end of the long partnership with Iranian football.

Abdul Kazem Taleghani, in an interview with ISNA, briefed the news agency about the Executive Committee’s meeting of the Football Federation. When asked about Queiroz’s contract and the willingness of Queiroz to continue  working with the national team, he said ” through Mahdi Taj. we have learned that his (Queiroz) contract has been extended and everything that he (Mehdi Taj) tells us is a proof as far as we are concerned (…). . As far as I know, the contract is valid until the AFC Asian Cup 2019, but I hope it will be extended to 2022 and he will be in the Qatar World Cup.”

Taleghani continued “Mahdi Taj is has the full authority in negotiating with Queiroz , and we support his decisions because we trust his judgment bout the national team.”

The FFIRI board member was asked when will Queiroz return to Iran  “Mr. Saket is in charge of Team Melli m he is Carlos Queiroz direct boss. Although he has just been on vacation and now needs to rest.”

The merry go around or the cat and mouse game between Queiroz and Iran’s Football Federation has been on going for years. Queiroz has mastered the politics of Iranian football and has successfully navigated all the crises, much of it were started by himself. His popularity amongst the fans is on the rise and he is fully taking advantage of that. On the rise are also his contractual demands and his fierce attacks on his opponents, mainly but not limited to , Branko Ivankovic.  His demand is very clear, either a 4 years contract extension or he will pack his bags and leave.