Iran coach Abdi wary of ‘difficult’ group at Asian Games
Iran U23 head coach Hossein Abdi has described his side’s group at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games as “very difficult” but insisted his players are ready to embrace the challenge as they pursue both a place in the knockout stage and their long-term goal of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.
The draw for the football competition at the multi-sport event, which will kick off on September 19, took place on Friday, with Iran drawn alongside China, the United Arab Emirates, and North Korea in Group B.
“We have been drawn into a very difficult group,” Abdi said. “At this age level, every team that comes to the Asian Games is aiming for success, so there are no easy matches.”
Abdi replaced Omid Ravankhah after Iran’s disappointing AFC U23 Asian Cup campaign in January, where the team finished bottom of its group with two points.
The appointment marks Abdi’s third role with one of Iran’s age-group national teams.
He led Iran to a semifinal finish at the 2023 AFC U17 Asian Cup in Thailand, securing qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup later that year in Indonesia.
Iran began its World Cup campaign with a memorable 3-2 comeback victory over Brazil and went on to finish third in the group before advancing to the round of 16, where it lost to Morocco in a penalty shootout.
The Iranian coach highlighted China, runner-up at the most recent AFC U23 Asian Cup, as one of the strongest teams in the group, while also pointing to the UAE’s recent investment in youth football and North Korea’s reputation for producing disciplined and resilient youth sides.
Abdi noted that Iran’s placement in Pot 3 reflected the national team’s results in recent years, meaning the coaching staff had anticipated the possibility of facing several strong opponents.
“We knew before the draw that, given our seeding, there was a good chance we would end up alongside some of Asia’s strongest teams,” he said. “Now we must focus fully on achieving our objectives.”
The 59-year-old identified progressing from the group stage as Iran’s primary target. Iran last won the Asian Games football gold medal at the 2002 Busan Games.
“Our immediate goal is to finish among the top two teams in the group and advance to the knockout stage,” Abdi said. “From there, the competition will naturally become even more difficult.”
The Group B runner-up could face overwhelming favorite Japan, the host nation and the likely Group A winner, in the first knockout round.
“We have a difficult road ahead, but we hope to move forward step by step and use a successful campaign in Nagoya as an important milestone toward our bigger objective of qualifying for the 2028 Olympics,” Abdi added.
The head coach also outlined his team’s preparation plans, saying a recent training camp in Turkey and a series of friendly matches formed part of the build-up to the Asian Games.
Abdi stressed that success would require the support of all stakeholders in Iranian football, including clubs, youth coaches, the media, and the national team’s technical, medical, administrative, and support staff.
“Everyone must work together toward a common goal. With the support of the entire football community, we hope to strengthen our qualities, address our weaknesses, and build a team worthy of the Iranian people,” said the former Persepolis midfielder.
“We are here because we want to achieve great things,” he said. “If the path were easy, our presence would have no meaning. Football is always full of challenges, and success belongs to teams that are prepared to overcome them.”
“I hope that, through the efforts of the players, coaching staff, everyone working with the team, and the support and prayers of our people, we can navigate this difficult journey with pride and achieve something that brings honor to our country.”