Iran to play Bulgaria in September friendly
Iran will play Bulgaria in a friendly game in September’s FIFA international break.
Amir Qalenoei’s men will fly to the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv to square off against their host – ranked 77th in FIFA Men’s Ranking – at the Hristo Botev Stadium on Sept. 7, Mohammad-Mehdi Nabi, the vice-president of the Iranian Football Federation, confirmed on Thursday.
Qalenoei, who replaced Portuguese head coach Carlos Queiroz following last year’s World Cup, is tasked with steering the Iranian national team in next January’s AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, where the three-time champion will be chasing a first title since 1976.
Iran is drawn alongside the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, and Palestine in Group C of the continent’s flagship international event.
In his first matches back on Iran’s bench after 16 years, Qalenoei lead his team to a 1-1 friendly draw against Russia and a 2-1 victory over Kenya in a couple of friendlies in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium in March, before his side came out on top Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, and host Uzbekistan to win the trophy at the inaugural CAFA Nations Cup in June.
Iran stood 22nd – second to Japan in Asia – in the latest FIFA Ranking – released on Thursday – with 1556.59 points.
Australia (27th), South Korea (28th), Saudi Arabia (54th), and reigning Asian Cup champion Qatar (59th) followed Iran in the AFC member states’ ranking.