Iran’s national football team has arrived at its designated base in Tijuana ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but without several accompanying officials, including federation president Mehdi Taj, who is reportedly absent due to links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The team’s arrival comes at a time of heightened political tension in Iran. Reports of a deadly crackdown in January, which critics say left tens of thousands dead, have led some athletes to distance themselves from national teams in support of protesters and victims’ families. Others, including forward Sardar Azmoun, have been excluded.
Bakhtiar Rahmani, a former Iran international who represented the national team at youth and senior levels, and a member of Foolad Khuzestan’s 2015 league title-winning side, is among those who have publicly supported protest movements. He backed both the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which followed the death of Mahsa Amini, and the protests in January 2026, referred to by supporters as the “Lion and Sun” revolution. His assets were subsequently confiscated by Iranian authorities.
Now based in Düsseldorf, Rahmani remains known for his goal-scoring record and assists in Iran’s top division. He says politics has a direct impact on football in Iran and believes world governing body FIFA has not taken sufficient action.
He points to FIFA’s suspension of Russia and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine, arguing that events in Iran, including reports of athletes being killed, have not received similar attention.
Bakhtiar Rahmani
Football in Iran “collapsed”
Iran won the Asian Cup in 1968, 1972 and 1976, but has not lifted the trophy since the 1979 revolution. Rahmani attributes this to long-term instability within the sport.
“After the 1979 revolution, the structure of Iranian football collapsed,” he says. “Foreign coaches left, the golden generation of players was dispersed, and the federation had to be rebuilt. That disruption lasted about a decade and could not be repaired.”
He also highlights what he describes as a lack of continuity, noting that the national team has had more than 30 head coaches over the past four decades. In contrast, he says countries such as Japan and South Korea have benefited from sustained investment and long-term planning.
Foolad Khuzestan
Rahmani has welcomed the expansion of the 2026 World Cup, saying the increased number of Asian places could benefit Iran.
However, he argues that the current national team does not represent the views of many Iranians.
“In recent years, especially over the past decade, people’s perception of the national team has changed,” he says. “For many, it is no longer just a sports team. It is seen as being linked to political structures and symbols. As a result, some have withdrawn their support and do not feel it represents them.”
He also criticises what he sees as political influence over team selection.
“Sardar Azmoun had 91 caps and scored 57 goals, but was removed simply for shaking hands with the ruler of Dubai,” he says. “Decisions about players should be technical, not political, but in Iran these issues affect football. I experienced this myself during my career.”
Sardar Azmoun
Crackdown on protesters
Rahmani also claims that a number of Iranian athletes were killed during protests.
He names Majid Tarshiz, a former Tractor player, as well as Ahmad Ramazanzadeh, Amir Mohammad Kohkan, Masoud Zatparvar, Afshin Mirkiani and Erfan Bozorgi among those he says lost their lives. Sportsin identified and published the names of 65 athletes reported killed in February.
Rahmani says he and former international Masoud Shojaei were among the first athletes to call on FIFA to respond.
He ends with a message to current players:
“At this major world event, show courage and humanity. Be the voice of those who have been killed and of their families. Do not forget that two of our footballers, Amir Nasr Abadani and Rashid Mazaheri, remain in prison.”
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