Tehran-IRAF- The end of Majid Mortezai’s cooperation with Afghanistan’s national futsal team is not merely a technical change; it marks an important chapter in the country’s sporting history.
The Iranian coach, who took charge in early 2022, achieved accomplishments over three separate terms that will remain in the sporting memory of the Afghan people.
First Term: A Short Preparation Period
During his first tenure, Morteza’i was appointed head coach just two months before the 2022 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Limited preparation time meant Afghanistan failed to qualify for the tournament. However, this experience laid the groundwork for building a team that would later become one of the surprise contenders in Asian and global futsal.
Second Term: Historic Qualification for the Asian Cup and World Cup
In 2024, under Mortezai’s leadership, Afghanistan successfully qualified for the AFC Asian Cup and, for the first time in its history, secured a place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup.
This achievement transformed Afghanistan into one of the emerging surprise teams on the international stage.
At the World Cup, the national team recorded a valuable victory, advanced beyond the group stage, and reached the quarterfinals—an accomplishment that brought national pride and joy to the Afghan people.
Third Term: Strong Showing at the 2026 Asian Cup
In his third tenure, Afghanistan once again qualified for the Asian Cup and progressed to the quarterfinal stage.
In the group phase, the team delivered impressive performances against Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, securing two convincing wins that drew attention.
Although they later lost to regional powerhouses such as Iran and Japan, the team’s performance demonstrated that Afghan futsal had reached a level capable of competing with Asia’s elite.
CAFA Runner-Up and International Experience
Another highlight of Mortezai’s era was finishing as runner-up in the CAFA Championship, consolidating Afghanistan’s position in the region.
During his tenure, the national team also faced major futsal nations such as Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Morocco, and Iran in official and friendly matches—experiences that significantly boosted players’ readiness and confidence.
Rise in Global Ranking
One of Mortezai’s most notable legacies was improving Afghanistan’s position in the global futsal rankings.
The national team rose from 90th in the world to among the top 28 teams—a major leap reflecting Afghanistan’s rapid growth on the international stage.
Professional Background
Before taking charge of Afghanistan, Morteza’i had no prior experience coaching at the national level and had mainly worked with Iranian club teams, including Farsh Ara Mashhad.
However, his time with Afghanistan marked a turning point in his professional career, as he guided an emerging team to major achievements and established himself as a respected and recognized coach internationally.
Introducing a New Generation of Stars
Alongside team success, Morteza’i played a key role in developing and introducing new futsal talents.
Players such as Reza Hosseinpour, Mehran Gholami, Mohammad Moradi, Abbas Haidari, and Seyyed Morteza Hosseini emerged during his tenure and are now regarded as promising figures for the future of Afghan futsal.
A Lasting Legacy
Every coach eventually leaves, but what remains is how they depart.
Before the 2026 Asian Cup, Morteza’i announced his intention to leave the national team, a decision likely to become official following the expiration of his contract. Last year, on February 6, he had extended his contract for one additional year.
Among the Afghan people, Mortezaei is remembered as a composed, respectful, and well-regarded coach, a man who brought great joy and whose name is now etched in the country’s sporting history.
The Future of the Bench
With his contract concluded, the Afghanistan Football Federation now faces a crucial decision.
Appointing a new head coach for the national futsal team will not only determine the future of the sport domestically but could shape Afghanistan’s trajectory in Asian and global futsal.
With the CAFA Championship less than two months away and Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September, the importance of this decision has become even greater.
Majid Mortezaei leaves behind a remarkable record and an enduring legacy, having elevated Afghan futsal to heights previously unimaginable.
Although his departure has not yet been officially announced, the people of Afghanistan will remember him as “a good Iranian” and wish him success in the next chapter of his professional career.
