Future Looks Bright for Iran’s Football

Iran is the only nation that has qualified for five men’s FIFA tournaments in 2016 and 2017.

According to FIFA.com, having reached the senior World Cup as well as FIFA’s U-20 and U-17 finals, and its futsal and beach soccer showpieces, Iran holds the unique and impressive distinction, which has not been accomplished by any team whether Brazil or Germany or any other global superpower.

Iran national team has gained a remarkable record that propelled Carlos Queiroz’s men to Russia 2018, and ensured that they became the first Asian side to qualify.

Team Melli played 18 matches in the qualifiers round and lost none. Iran sealed its place with two games to spare and is now looking forward to a fifth World Cup, having previously participated in the 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014 editions.

Queiroz is not content simply to be joining the party though. “My goal and dream is to get to the knockout stage,” he said. “We should not be satisfied with the first round. We need to be ambitious. We need to think big. We will not go to Russia as tourists.”

 U-17 Team in India

Although Iran qualified for India 2017 U-17 World Cup by reaching the final AFC U-16 Championship, few would have expected the impact they have made so far.

Winning all the three group games, the young players easily assured a place in the knockout stage. They beat Guinea 3-1, inflicted a stunning 4-0 defeat on Germany and won over Costa Rica 3-0. Germany’s coach, Christian Wuck, praised Iran side saying: “Iran played a great match. They are mentally a very good team.”

  U-20 World Cup

Iran’s U-20 campaign looked set for success too when they opened their campaign in South Korea with an impressive 1-0 win over Costa Rica. And while they were ultimately edged out by Portugal and Zambia for a place in the last 16, midfielder Omid Nourafkan vowed that the tournament would help prepare them for challenges in the senior ranks.

“The level of the experience we’ve got here is not comparable to anything we’ve had,” Nourafkan said. “This event will greatly assist and help us.”

 Third in Beach Soccer

Having qualified for Bahamas 2017 by retaining the Asian title, Iran proceeded to make history by finishing third at the global finals. That represented the highest-ever finish by an Asian side at the Beach Soccer World Cup, with Mexico, Switzerland and Italy all beaten en route to the podium.

  Best Finish in Futsal

Another tournament, another bronze medal and another best-ever finish for Iran.

Mohammad Nazemalsharie’s side qualified as Asian champions and emerged as one of the tournament’s major success stories, stunning record champions Brazil in the Round of 16 on the way to finishing third.