Iranian top-flight to resume action after World Cup, League Organization confirms
Iran’s Persian Gulf Pro League will resume after the FIFA World Cup – which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 – the League Organization of the country’s Football Federation announced on Saturday.
The news brings an end to weeks of speculation over the future of the Iranian league, which has been postponed since February 28, when the United States and Israel initiated a war campaign against Iran.
“Taking into account all circumstances regarding the country and clubs, the health and safety of players, as well as the need to prevent potential injuries from a congested schedule, it was decided to suspend the remaining Pro League matches until the conclusion of the national team’s games at the FIFA World Cup,” the League Organization said in a statement.
Iran will kick off its World Cup campaign against New Zealand at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on June 15, before facing European heavyweight Belgium at the same venue six days later.
The team will then travel to Seattle, Washington, to face Egypt in its final game in Group G at Lumen Field on June 26.
With eight third-placed teams across the 12 groups advancing to the round of 32, Iran will fancy its chances of securing its first-ever knockout spot at the seventh attempt.
Questions still remain as to which Iranian teams will represent the country at next season’s continental club competitions, as the national governing body of the sport will have only until May 31 to announce the country’s representatives to the Asian Football Confederation.
The league champion will be given a direct berth at the West zone’s 12-team table of the AFC Champions League Elite, with the runner-up given the chance to secure the spot through the playoffs, while the domestic Hazfi Cup champion will qualify for the AFC Champions League Two.
Esteghlal leads the Iranian top-flight table with 41 points – two clear of Tractor and Sepahan with eight games remaining. Golgohar Sirjan is fourth with 36 points from 23 matches, while Chadormalou (35) and Persepolis (34) occupy the following spots with a game in hand.
The suspension of the Iranian league will also be a blow to Iran’s World Cup preparation, and head coach Amir Qalenoei will have to hold several training camps to ensure his domestic players remain in proper condition for the global showpiece.