Blog Three Columns – Afshin Ghotbi

March 15, 2026

Ghotbi Suggests Neutral Path for Iranian Players at the World Cup

In a recent interview with BBC News, renowned football coach Afshin Ghotbi shared his thoughts on the possibility of Iranian players participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 despite …

Football Notes

March 15, 2026

Football Should Never Be Defined by Politics

Afshin Ghotbi on Unity, Hope, and the True Power of the Game At a time when geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty dominate headlines, sport remains one of the few spaces …

News

March 15, 2026

Iran’s Women Footballers Show Courage on the World Stage

The Iran women’s football team became “heroes” when they declined to sing the country’s national anthem at the Asian Cup, says former Iran men’s head coach Afshin Ghotbi. Before their …

Afshin's Notes

December 2, 2025

One World, One Sport, One Cup, Zero Politics

As an American citizen born in Iran, and someone fortunate enough to coach both the U.S. and Iranian national teams, I feel a personal responsibility to speak about the World …

Afshin's Notes

November 6, 2025

World Cup 2026: A Global Celebration, Human Spirit Will Overcome the Elements Again!

The Great Sporting event on the planet is just around the corner, seven months to be exact. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark a new chapter in football history …

Afshin's Notes

November 6, 2025

From Pasadena to the Podium: The Making of Peter Vagenas

Some players are born into the game, others are built through it. Peter Vagenas is both. His journey from the youth fields of Pasadena to representing the United States at …

News

April 4, 2025

Wuhan Zall F.C. 2-0 Shijiazhuang Ever Bright F.C.

China League One 2018, Week 10 :Wuhan Zall F.C. 2-0 Shijiazhuang Ever Bright F.C. 19:30 ( Local Time )May 9,2018Xinhua Road Stadium, Wuhan, Hubei, China China League One 2018 Official Standings Shijiazhuang Ever …

Championship

February 9, 2025

Three World Cups with the USA & South Korea

Afshin Ghotbi’s International Football Journey Afshin Ghotbi’s coaching career is nothing short of remarkable. He’s one of the few coaches to have participated in three FIFA World Cups, working with …

News

July 16, 2024

China League One 2019, Week 30

China League One 2019, Week 30 Official League Standings – 2019 Gallery …

News

January 21, 2024

Meizhou Hakka F.C. 1-0 Shijiazhuang Ever Bright F.C.

China League One 2018, Week 16 19:30 ( Local Time )July 28,2018Wuhua County Stadium, Wuhua China League One 2018 Official Standings Shijiazhuang Ever Bright F.C. Motivation Film, July 28- 2018 …

Football Notes

November 21, 2023

Afshin Ghotbi – Interview with the-afc.com : The Azadi is the Colosseum of Asia

Tehran: Former Persepolis manager Afshin Ghotbi knows just what it feels like to savour glory at the Azadi Stadium, where the 2018 AFC Champions League final between the Islamic Republic …

October 26, 2023

A Blueprint for Success

Japan’s J.League has evolved into one of Asia’s most formidable football competitions and is steadily making its mark on the global stage. Built on decades of strategic planning, robust club …