Hosseini’s Brace Leads Iran Past Afghanistan in CAFA Opener

Hisor, Tajikistan – August 29, 2025

Iran kicked off their CAFA Nations Cup 2025 campaign with a 3-1 victory against Afghanistan at Hisor Central Stadium on Friday, but the win did little to silence critics questioning the team’s aging squad and the tournament’s relevance as preparation for the 2026 World Cup.

Under the guidance of head coach Amir Ghalenoei, Iran faced an early scare when Afghanistan’s Omid Musawi struck in the 21st minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to give the underdogs a surprising lead. However, Iran’s experience shone through as Majid Hosseini equalized with a well-placed header, assisted by Omid Noorafkan. Just before halftime, Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh put Iran ahead 2-1, with Hosseini turning provider. Hosseini sealed the victory with his second goal in the 64th minute, ensuring a comfortable 3-1 win for the three-time Asian champions.

Despite the victory, concerns linger over Iran’s squad composition and the quality of opposition in the CAFA Nations Cup. With an average squad age of 27.9 years and only two players under 23, Ghalenoei’s reliance on veterans like Mehdi Taremi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh—both currently without clubs—and 35-year-old Ramin Rezaeian has sparked debate. Critics argue that the inclusion of older players, some lacking regular club minutes, overlooks younger talent who could benefit from international exposure ahead of the World Cup.

The CAFA Nations Cup, featuring lower-ranked teams like Afghanistan (161st globally, 32nd in Asia), India, and Tajikistan—all outside FIFA’s top 100—has been criticized as inadequate preparation for Iran’s World Cup ambitions. As highlighted by local media, Iran’s failure to secure high-caliber friendly matches has left them competing in a tournament that offers limited competitive challenge, potentially stunting their growth on the global stage.

Afghanistan, led by new coach Vincenzo Annese, showed flashes of promise but struggled to match Iran’s clinical finishing and tactical discipline after their early goal. The match, streamed live on the FanCode app and website, underscored Iran’s dominance in the head-to-head record, including a 6-1 thrashing of Afghanistan in a 2023 friendly.

As Iran progresses in the tournament, questions remain about whether Ghalenoei’s conservative approach will adequately prepare the team for the rigors of World Cup qualification. With upcoming matches against India and Tajikistan, fans and analysts alike are calling for a balance between experience and youth to ensure Iran’s readiness for the global stage.

For now, Iran celebrates a winning start, with Majid Hosseini’s brace proving decisive. However, the road to 2026 demands tougher tests and bolder choices if Iran hopes to make a mark.