Alireza Jahanbakhsh was born and raised in the north of IR Iran and although he’s spent years away, pursuing a professional career in the bright lights of Europe, it’s still a place that he calls home.
As he explains on the eve of his nation’s opening FIFA World Cup 2026™ clash, the lure of home is one that keeps calling him back.
“I love Iran and try to go home as much as I can to visit my family. I’m a family guy and I can’t go too long being away from them. I’m in contact with my parents every day, visiting them as much as I can. I love Iran, I love every bit of my country.
“Whenever I go back home, I always go to the north, where I come from, to enjoy every bit of it. That’s where I spent my whole childhood and I try to do that as much as I can to make sure I stay in contact with my culture and my people.”
At 32, the iconic Team Melli forward knows that he is edging towards the end of his career. The North American tournament will be a fourth outing at the global finals for a player who has been ever-present for his nation, answering the call whenever it came, regardless of where he was based.
If this is to be his World Cup curtain call, he wants to enjoy every moment of it. Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei has named a vastly experienced squad, many of whom have been alongside Jahanbakhsh for much of his own journey and, as he explains to FIFA, that’s of real benefit as the team approaches their opening fixture against New Zealand in Los Angeles.
“The fact that we have played for so many years together helps us to manage the whole thing a lot better, on and off the pitch. I’d say 70-80 per cent of the team, we’ve been together for years now.
“All we’ve ever wanted to do was give our best for the national team. We are really like brothers, the feeling is always super nice when we spend time together in the national team. A lot of us are in contact off the pitch as well when we are not in camp and that says a lot about our relationship.
“Now, we want to make sure that whenever the time comes for us to leave the national team that we do it by leaving something nice for our country, to try and create history for Iranian football.”
Regular qualifiers they may be, but Iran have struggled to replicate the form that has made them such a formidable continental force on the global stage. In their previous six outings, Team Melli has departed at the group stage each time. While Jahanbakhsh isn’t making grand statements as to how far Iran can advance, he’s quietly confident that a group containing the likes of Mehdi Taremi, Mohammad Mohebi and Saman Ghoddos can leave a positive impression.
“The strength of our team lies both in our individual qualities but also that as a collective that we have the same goal and that is that we will play with smiles on our faces and try to make our people happy.
“People love Team Melli and it’s always been a part of their lives, bringing joy in their homes and we would like to do that again. Thankfully we have this opportunity as a group to one more time represent our country on such a big stage.
“We know the expectations are high and we will do our best to fulfil them - that’s very clear from everyone in the group, from players to staff.
“We are united as a team, with a mix of experience and young players and the feeling I have from within the group is very strong, so I hope that will help us to go as far as possible in this tournament.”
Set against the backdrop of conflict in and around his homeland, the build-up for Iran hasn’t been easy. Rather than looking to use that as an excuse, Jahanbakhsh wants to send a message of positivity.
After the New Zealand clash, Iran will face Belgium and then Egypt and, while progression is the target, the veteran winger wants to keep things focussed on the pitch at what is a milestone tournament for him personally.
“It’s difficult to describe my feelings at representing my country at a fourth World Cup because playing at just one tournament was always a dream of mine, my family and my parents since I was young.
“Here I am again at another big tournament, a big stage and I can’t explain how proud I am. However long I am with the team, I want to try to enjoy it as much as possible and hopefully when I leave, I leave with only good memories.
“Of course though the situation back home affects the team in a way, but we talk with our feet and that’s what everyone is aware of. We want to make sure to find a way to ease the difficult time that our people had over the last years and make sure to put some smiles on their faces.
“As individuals and as a team we would like to show that football unites the world and football unites people.
“It doesn’t matter the nation, the colour of the skin or the background - we are all human. Humans don’t have to suffer and hopefully we can give that impression to the world with football, with our feet and to show some personality on such a big stage.”
Sources: FIFA Official
