Futsal tournament likely from December in Iran

Iran would most likely host a four-nation futsal tournament this winter, with national men's teams from Argentina, Russia and Portugal heading to the country in December.

Head of the futsal committee in the Islamic Republic of Iran Football Federation (IRIFF), Abbas Torabian, said the participating teams in the expected competition are among the worlds' top ten contingents.

"Preparatory talks have just started and will continue until they yield positive and favorable results. Our main goal to stage the tournament annually and each of the countries would host it on a rotational basis," Torabian added.

The Iranian official further noted that the four-nation futsal tournament will be staged at the Azadi Sport Complex in western Tehran if everything goes according to plan.

According to the latest monthly classification published by the Asociacion Mundial de Futsal (AMF), which is the governing body of futsal, the Iranian squad has preserved its position as Asia's best and stayed put in the sixth place of the world's overall standings. Team Melli Futsal earned 1,608 points.

Kazakhstan maintained the 9th slot in the latest AMF rankings with 1,451 points. The Central Asians are followed by Thais and the Japanese, who have claimed the 15th and 16th places respectively with 1,360 and 1,359 points.

Brazil is the top-ranked futsal team in the world with 1,916 points. Spaniards notched up 1,889 points to sit in the second position, while third-placed Russians kept their position with 1,763 points. Argentina collected 1,706 points to stand fourth.