News ID: 244

Date: 26 May 2025 - 15:09

Alireza Alipour:

We’re Fighting for Ranking and a Strong World Cup Presence

Ali Alipour emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches against Qatar and North Korea, citing their impact on FIFA rankings and World Cup seeding.

Ali Alipour, striker for the Iran national football team, has highlighted the significance of the team's next two fixtures against Qatar and North Korea, despite Iran’s early qualification.

“Our qualification is already secured, but these two matches are crucial for improving our FIFA ranking and securing a better seeding in the World Cup draw,” Alipour said. “They could play a vital role in helping us get into Pot 2, which would significantly ease our path in the group stage of the World Cup.”

Alipour praised the positive atmosphere in the national team camp, saying:

“There’s an excellent sense of unity and camaraderie in our squad. All the players have created a unique bond, and we’re all working together to raise our national flag with pride.”

On his personal motivation, Alipour added:

“I consider myself a soldier of the national team and take great pride in wearing this sacred jersey. I give my all for the success of the team and fully support the coaching staff's strategy. Each of us is motivated to deliver our best performance.”

Discussing the competition among Iran’s forwards, Alipour remarked:

“The rivalry between myself, Mehdi Taremi, and Sardar Azmoun is natural and constructive. Despite the competition, we share a strong friendship, which fosters a healthy environment for the team. I'm proud to be part of such a positive setting and remain focused on our collective goals.”

He concluded by sharing his thoughts on the upcoming opponents:

“Qatar and North Korea are respectable teams, but we are Team Melli — with experienced players and a highly capable technical staff. With modern tactics and rigorous preparation, we aim to secure two wins, bring joy to our fans, and strengthen our path to a successful World Cup campaign.”