Iran's Football Federation (FFIRI) has renewed the contract of Team Melli’s coach, Amir Ghalenoei, until the end of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia. The extension shows that FFIRI is satisfied with the skills of this experienced coach despite Team Melli’s failure in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The governing body announced on Sunday that Ghalenoei, who began his second term as national coach in 2023, will remain in charge after formally submitting his strategic plans for the upcoming continental campaign. Iran Football Federation president Mehdi Taj stated that Ghalenoei would continue in his role and noted that the national team’s training camp for the impending FIFA international window would commence shortly alongside several planned developments for the national squads.
The contract renewal follows Iran’s narrow failure to reach the knockout rounds of the World Cup. Ghalenoei’s side recorded three consecutive draws in Group G, but this unbeaten run proved insufficient to secure one of the eight places allocated for the best third-placed teams. Iran initiated their World Cup campaign with a 2-2 draw against New Zealand, followed by a goalless stalemate with Belgium. A 1-1 draw against Egypt in their final group fixture left Team Melli with three points, finishing third in the standings and bringing a premature end to their tournament run.
The tournament presented both logistical and emotional hurdles for the squad. Due to visa complications, the Iranian team was based in Tijuana, Mexico, rather than the United States, which necessitated repeated cross-border travel for their fixtures in Los Angeles and Seattle. Furthermore, the players competed under the significant emotional strain of representing a nation experiencing conflict at home.
Ghalenoei, 62, stands as one of Iran’s most seasoned coaches. During his first tenure, he guided Iran to the quarter-finals of the 2007 AFC Asian Cup, and later led Team Melli to the semi-finals in the 2023 edition after returning to the helm. Iran, who are three-time Asian champions but have not lifted the continental trophy since 1978, have been drawn in Group C for the 2027 tournament alongside Syria, Kyrgyzstan, and China. The competition is set to begin on 7 January, with the final scheduled to take place in Riyadh on February 5.
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