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TEHRAN – Iran\u2019s national women\u2019s football team winger, Golnoosh Khosravi, has opened up about the squad\u2019s 2026 AFC Women\u2019s Asian Cup campaign, revealing that a World Cup berth was within reach had circumstances aligned differently.<\/p>\n
The talented attacker also shed light on the emotional pull of home that led the players to turn down lucrative opportunities abroad and return to Iran.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe embarked on our journey to Australia with a suitcase full of hope, dreams, and goals that we had strived for over a long period,\u201d Khosravi said. \u201cAs we stepped onto the field, each of us knew the path we had taken to get there \u2013 endless hours of training, silent endurance of fatigue, and a shared dream burning within us all. However, the reality of the competition doesn\u2019t always unfold as envisioned.\u201d<\/p>\n
The team found themselves in what was widely considered the \u201cGroup of Death,\u201d a formidable challenge against strong opposition. \u201cIt\u2019s true we were placed in an incredibly tough group, facing formidable opponents,\u201d Khosravi admitted. \u201cYet, advancing from this group was not an unattainable dream for us. We believed in our abilities and knew that if everything went as planned, qualification could mean reaching the Women\u2019s World Cup \u2013 a historic achievement, a dream cherished by every player and every team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The mental fortitude required for elite competition was tested, especially with worries from afar. \u201cThe days we\u2019ve been through were not easy,\u201d she continued. \u201cCompeting at a high-level demand more than just physical readiness; it requires a calm and focused mind, one that can dedicate all its attention to the pitch. But at times, the mind wanders thousands of miles away, thinking of family, worrying about home and the people we love. These concerns can weigh heavily on an athlete\u2019s heart, a burden perhaps unseen from the outside but one that steals inner peace and concentration.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australia presented tempting prospects for the players, with offers extending beyond the tournament. \u201cDuring those days, several offers were made, offers that many would find tempting,\u201d Khosravi revealed. \u201cLife in another country, better facilities, a home, a car, income, and the opportunity to play in Australia\u2019s top-tier league. Things that many would say come along perhaps only once in a lifetime \u2013 opportunities that, to some, would seem incredibly difficult to refuse. But despite all that, we made our decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
This pivotal choice was a testament to their deep connection to their homeland. \u201cWe returned,\u201d Khosravi emphasized. \u201cWe returned to the place where our roots are embedded in the soil. A place that is not just a dot on the map; it is our identity, our memories, a part of our very being. For us, no amount of comfort or opportunity can replace that sense of belonging. One might lack many things in life \u2013 a house, a car, or significant assets \u2013 but some attachments cannot be measured by any material standard. Some bonds are of love; a love that is not simple to explain and is difficult to capture in words.\u201d<\/p>\n
The return, however, was not without its emotional complexities. \u201cComing back is never easy,\u201d she acknowledged. \u201cSometimes it\u2019s accompanied by a deep sorrow \u2013 the sorrow of seeing worry on people\u2019s faces, the sorrow of hearing news that weighs down the heart. In such moments, one wishes more than ever to be able to do something, however small, to bring comfort to hearts. My wish is simple: to wake up one day and see that worry has left the streets and walls of this land, replaced by genuine smiles from the people \u2013 smiles from the heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
Concluding with a powerful message of pride and hope, Khosravi stated, \u201cWe have a people who deserve peace. They deserve a life where hope outweighs worry. I have always been proud to be a national team player; to wear a jersey bearing my country\u2019s name. This honor is not just a sports title for me; it\u2019s a responsibility I feel in my heart. At times, one feels small in the face of great events, feeling that one\u2019s voice should be louder, that one could do more. But despite all these feelings, one thing has always remained constant in my heart: love for the people to whom I belong and the land that is my home, and a hope that must never be extinguished \u2013 hope for brighter days for all.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n