Queiroz returns by parachute to Iran to lead Team Melli to Qatar 2022

September 15 - Veteran coach Carlos Queiroz arrived in Iran ahead of his third term in charge of Team Melli. The Portuguese succeeds Dragan Skocic, who qualified Iran for the World Cup.

"When the family calls you home, just show up," Queiroz wrote on social media. “Fully committed to your duties and ready for the mission. Let's do it together guys! In the future! Thank you very much, Team Melli."

This is the third time Queiroz will lead Iran to the World Finals after being in charge in 2014 and 2018.

In Brazil, Iran finished last in Group F, picking up a single point from a draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, but four years later Team Melli almost reached the knockout stage after beating beat Morocco 1-0 in the opening game and drew 1-1 with Portugal. This is the best result in the history of Iran in the tournament.

With little time to prepare, it will be nothing short of a miracle if the Iranians repeat their success against Russia in Group B in Qatar.

They kick off their campaign against England on November 21 before facing Wales and the United States, the latter playing a repeat of a group match at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Queiroz will succeed Dragan Skocic, who was fired and then rehired in July amid turmoil at IRIFF. Mehdi Taj has been elected as the new president of the Iranian Football Federation (IRIFF) for a four-year term. He ran on a ticket promising to bring Queiroz back to the national team and delivered within days.

In September, the Iranians lined up a friendly match with Uruguay in Vienna, Austria.

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