Ghalenoei:
Qualifying for the World Cup Was No Easy Task
Team Melli head coach Amir Ghalenoei emphasized that qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was far from an easy feat.
“At the moment, only Iran and Japan have secured early qualification from Asia. That alone shows how difficult the path has been.”
He reflected on the preparation challenges for the current camp, saying:
“The league ended on the 25th [of the month], and we couldn't afford to either release or call up players for a full 25-day period. So, we split the squad into three groups—this proved to be a very effective strategy and helped us finalize the roster.
The younger players whom didn’t make the final list performed very well and gave us hope for the future. I’m confident that in the next league season, which leads to the World Cup, they will improve and earn their place.”
On the absence of Mehdi Torabi, Ghalenoei stated:
“With all due respect to every player who worked hard in the league, I prefer to comment only on those present in camp. We have very talented players here who give us great hope.”
Regarding international friendlies, the head coach added:
“We are eager to play against strong teams. These matches are important for our development, but I’d rather not go into specifics now. Playing quality opponents will reveal our true level.”
He also discussed the formation of a potential ‘Team B’:
“The matches against Qatar and North Korea are very important for our FIFA ranking and seeding. We choose players based on merit and tactical fit.
For example, Mehdi Hashemnejad did very well, but there are already strong players in his position. Aside from center-backs and goalkeepers, we can’t take more than two players per position. Mistakes may happen, but we prioritize tactical compatibility.”
Ghalenoei stressed the importance of player performance in the upcoming friendlies:
“I emphasized to the players this morning that these two matches are critical. They are a major reference point for future selection.
Just like Liverpool’s dip in form after securing the title, some might lose focus. But we can’t afford that. A weak performance now may affect their chances in future call-ups.”
When asked about government and institutional support, Ghalenoei stated:
“It’s not helpful to dwell on problems or make excuses. Our coaching staff has submitted its requests and plans.
International relations aren’t as strong as they were 10 years ago, and financial challenges exist. For instance, some top teams charge $4–5 million for a friendly.
I know government officials want the best for the national team. We’ve achieved something great despite all these difficulties, such as playing several matches away from home—a rarity in World Cup campaigns.
So, we expect strong support.
Some say qualifying was easy, but I ask: how many teams had already secured their spots before the last FIFA matchday? Only Iran and Japan. That proves it wasn’t easy.”
He concluded by reflecting on cooperation with the Iranian league:
“I’ve always worked closely with the league authorities. But in two recent FIFA matchdays, the scheduling impacted our preparations.
In other countries, the federation plans the calendar, but here, the league has its own challenges too. We must understand that and work together.”
