In the second technical session organized to support Iran’s strong presence at the Islamic Solidarity Games and the AFC U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers, Mehdi Taj highlighted key issues and shared the federation’s plans moving forward.

🔹 Key Statements from Mehdi Taj:

• "We presented the challenges facing the U-23 national team to the Minister of Sports and Youth."

  • Taj noted that specific solutions have been proposed for each issue to prevent the repetition of past obstacles.

• On Scheduling Concerns:

  • "This year, we’re facing a highly compressed football calendar. Alongside the domestic league, we also have the U-23 World Cup qualifiers and club-level competitions."

  • He emphasized that careful planning is essential to manage these overlapping commitments effectively.

• On the Team's Potential:

  • "The U-23 team has promising players and strong potential. We hope that, like the senior national team, they can qualify for the World Cup and bring pride to the nation."

This meeting, held in conjunction with the Minister of Sports, Dr. Ahmad Donyamali, forms part of a broader governmental initiative to provide strategic support and oversight for Iran’s national teams as they prepare for critical international events.