According to the official website of the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI), Ali Taregholi-Zadeh, FFIRI Technical and Development Director, spoke about the upcoming nationwide conference of provincial technical directors, stating that the event will be held from January 9 to January 11 at the National Football Center.

He explained that the conference will be followed by a specialized seminar on Saturday and Sunday (January 10 and 11), directly linked to FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme (TDS). “This project focuses on talent identification and elite player development, and I am pleased to say that Iran’s TDS project was officially approved by FIFA in November,” he noted.

Provincial Technical Appointments, First Step of the FIFA Project
Taregholi-Zadeh outlined the executive steps of the initiative, stressing that the first phase involves appointing a technical manager in each province. “These individuals must be capable of implementing the project at a practical level and should hold at least an AFC A coaching license, along with a solid technical background,” he said.

He added that the project is not limited to football alone and also covers futsal and beach soccer, at both amateur and professional levels. Areas such as advanced talent identification, coach education, women’s football development and related topics will be addressed through dedicated workshops.

Supporting Less-Developed Provinces and Nationwide Talent Identification
Emphasizing the project’s broader objectives, Taregholi-Zadeh said representatives from all 32 provinces have been invited to introduce their provincial technical managers. “Our main goal is to uplift less-developed provinces while allowing advanced provinces to continue progressing. The core philosophy is clear: every talent, regardless of where they are in the country, must be seen,” he stated.

He also highlighted the use of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, to ensure that talent identification is conducted in a more accurate, scientific and fair manner.

Assessing the U-23 National Team and a Unified Football Philosophy
Turning to the performance of the Iran U-23 national team at the AFC U-23 Asian Cup, Taregholi-Zadeh referred to the upcoming match against South Korea and pointed to a noticeable shift in playing style. “Against the UAE, the team played a fluid, attacking and distinctly Iranian brand of football—an approach we strongly believe in and insist on continuing as a core philosophy,” he said.

He noted that the same philosophy was applied at youth national team level, where players performed well despite challenging circumstances, including a format in which only the group winner advanced.

Optimism for Qualification From a Difficult Group
Taregholi-Zadeh expressed confidence in the U-23 team’s prospects, saying: “The team topped its qualifying group convincingly and defeated the host nation. Compared to the past, we now have a more experienced squad. Friendly matches prior to the tournament, including those held in Isfahan, as well as the victory over China, demonstrated the team’s ability to control games.”

Acknowledging the difficulty of the group, which includes two of the tournament’s main title contenders, he added: “Despite the challenge, we are very optimistic about our U-23 team’s chances of qualification. We believe the team can achieve positive results while playing football that resonates with Iranian fans and earns a deserving position.”

Youth Teams as the Foundation of Iran’s Football Future
In conclusion, the FFIRI Technical and Development Director emphasized that modern football is built on a unified philosophy across all age-group national teams. “Youth teams are the backbone of the senior national team. By strengthening this structure and maintaining a long-term vision, we can aim for meaningful success and higher rankings at future senior World Cups,” he said.

Taregholi-Zadeh also praised U-23 head coach Omid Reza Ravankhah and his staff, describing them as a cohesive and capable technical unit. “With an experienced coaching staff, a strong management team and a clear footballing philosophy, I hope the U-23 national team will advance confidently from its group and that this path of development and success will continue,” he concluded.