News ID: 261

Date: 28 May 2025 - 22:19

#Futsal

Shahrzad Mozafar Returns as Head Coach of Iran Women’s Futsal National Team

FFIRI has appointed Shahrzad Mozafar as the new head coach of the women’s national futsal team ahead of the upcoming FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in the Philippines.

The FFIRI announced the appointment while expressing gratitude for the contributions of outgoing head coach Forouzan Soleimani. Mozafar, one of the most decorated and pioneering figures in women’s futsal in Asia, takes the helm once again to lead Team Melli Banovan into a new competitive era.

Mozafar is the first female futsal coaching instructor from Asia recognized by FIFA, and the only woman serving on the elite coaching panel of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). She has an extensive history with Iranian women’s football and futsal, having first been named head coach of the national women’s football team in 2005, following the Islamic Revolution.

In 2009, she transitioned to lead the national women’s futsal team, a role she held until 2014. During this period, she guided Iran to a historic silver medal at the 2013 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in South Korea, the first-ever medal for Iranian women in a team ball sport on the international stage, both before and after the revolution.

Mozafar returned as head coach in 2017 and led Iran to the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship title in 2018, solidifying her status as the most successful coach in the team’s history. Under her leadership, Iran also won the West Asian Championship in 2012, finished runners-up in the 2013 Asian Indoor Games, secured third place in the 2017 edition, and clinched the Asian championship title in 2018.

In addition to her achievements at the national level, Mozafar has a stellar record in the Iranian Women’s Futsal Premier League, winning six championships between 2005 and 2018, making her the most successful club coach in league history.

In 2018, she signed a contract to coach the Kuwaiti national women’s futsal team, where she continued to leave her mark. Now, in a symbolic return to her homeland, she resumes her role at the helm of Iran’s national team as preparations begin for the Women’s Futsal World Cup.