Former Real Madrid coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed on Tuesday (13 September) that he will be in charge of the Iran national team just over two months before the start of the World Cup in Qatar.
Queiroz replaces Dragan Skocic, who led Iran through the Asian preliminary rounds, and the Portuguese coach will lead the nation to the World Cup for the third time, having previously been in charge in 2014 and 2018.
“When family calls you home, you just show up,” Queiroz wrote on Instagram alongside a photo he took during his earlier time with the Iranians.
“Fully engaged and ready for the mission. Let’s do it together boys! To the future! Thank you Team Melli.”
The Football Federation of Iran announced last week that Queiroz has returned, but sources told Reuters the 69-year-old will not sign a contract until the situation with Skocic is fully clarified.
Iran will start their World Cup season on November 21 in Group B against England before taking on Wales and the United States.
Queiroz led the country to their best performance at a World Cup in Russia four years ago, when the Iranians defeated Morocco and drew with Portugal before narrowly missing out on a place in the knockout rounds.
Qatar will be Queiroz’s fourth time as coach at a World Cup, having guided his native Portugal in 2010 before guiding Iran to the finals in Brazil and Russia.
Iran will be at a World Cup for the sixth time and never progressed past the group stage.