Background and Purpose
The intersection of politics and sports, particularly at the international level, has become a commonplace phenomenon that no longer surprises the general public. The worlds of sports and politics frequently intersect and influence one another, reshaping social, cultural, and diplomatic realities in novel and complex ways. Sports diplomacy, especially within the realm of football, has emerged as a powerful tool to elevate international discourse and foster official diplomatic relations between nations. Football, in particular, holds a unique political significance; for many people worldwide, it carries more emotional and symbolic weight than governmental institutions. Supporting a national football team often fosters a profound sense of identity and national unity, with fans perceiving themselves as integral members of a cohesive nation through their affiliation with the sport.
The relationship between sports and politics, and its impact on international relations, has attracted increasing scholarly interest. Sports serve as a political resource with a long history of influencing intergovernmental relations and domestic political dynamics. Iran, due to its strategic geopolitical position in the Middle East, has consistently drawn attention from global powers, making its sports diplomacy particularly consequential.
Examining Iranian football diplomacy through a pragmatic lens can provide valuable insights into the sustainability and efficacy of Iran’s sports diplomacy efforts in international and cross-border arenas. This study aims to design a comprehensive model of Iranian football diplomacy grounded in pragmatic theory, addressing the multifaceted factors that shape the country’s football diplomacy and proposing strategies to enhance its international standing.
 
Methods
This research adopts a qualitative, exploratory-foundational approach rooted in an interpretive-constructivist paradigm. It is strategic and data-driven, employing a constructivist methodology aimed at generating a nuanced and contextually grounded model.
Data were collected through purposive and snowball sampling methods, involving semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a carefully selected group of participants. These included officials from the Iranian Football Federation, international football referees, knowledgeable insiders, and experts affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the International Football Federation (FIFA). The study focused specifically on football diplomacy as it relates to Iran’s international relations.
Thirteen participants were interviewed until theoretical saturation was reached, ensuring comprehensive coverage of relevant perspectives. The collected data were systematically categorized and analyzed using MAXQDA software, facilitating rigorous qualitative data management.
To ensure the credibility and rigor of the findings, the study applied the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln (1994), including prolonged engagement, persistent observation, triangulation of data sources, member checking, and continuous comparative analysis.
Results
The analysis of interview data yielded 390 initial codes, which were refined through focused coding to 38 salient codes. These codes encompassed a wide range of themes, including economic development, adherence to international football federation standards, and the prevailing political conditions within Iran.
Further synthesis identified 13 core codes central to understanding Iranian football diplomacy:
•           Iran’s Football Achievements: Recognition of national successes and their diplomatic value.
•           Management Practices: The role of effective governance and organizational capacity.
•           Political Context: The influence of domestic and international politics on football diplomacy.
•           Technical Indicators: Compliance with technical standards and performance metrics.
•           Reporting Practices: Transparency and communication with stakeholders.
•           Economic Conditions: Financial resources and investment in football.
•           Lobbying Efforts: Advocacy and influence within international football bodies.
•           Performance Evaluation: Assessment of football outcomes and diplomatic impact.
•           Relationships and Communications: Networks and dialogue within the football community.
•           Women’s Football: Inclusion and development of women’s participation.
•           Bias in International Bodies: Challenges related to perceived partiality within AFC and FIFA.
•           Desired International Standards: Aspirations for compliance and recognition.
•           Growth and Development: Strategic planning for future advancement.
The findings highlight that these factors collectively shape the sustainability and effectiveness of Iran’s football diplomacy. Recommendations include strengthening Iran’s role in regional and global football governance, enhancing cooperation with neighboring Asian countries, and leveraging football as a platform to reduce geopolitical tensions and conflicts.
Additionally, the study advocates for expanding football-related tourism, attracting foreign financial supporters, boosting the national economy, fostering national pride and unity, and promoting joint investment in modern sports infrastructure.
 
Figure 2- The final model of Iranian football diplomacy with a transnational approach

Conclusion
The presented model underscores several critical factors influencing the growth and development of Iranian football diplomacy. Football’s global popularity makes it a potent diplomatic tool capable of facilitating cooperation, cultural exchange, trust-building, and conflict resolution. It also serves as a powerful vehicle for promoting national identity and pride.
However, challenges remain. Non-compliance with international standards, inadequate sports infrastructure, and management deficiencies—including insufficient budgets, political interference, and the broader political context—impede Iran’s football development and its diplomatic potential.
To enhance Iran’s football diplomacy, proactive measures are essential. These include aligning with international standards, investing in infrastructure, ensuring sound financial management, and fostering effective relationships with international football organizations.
Successful implementation of these strategies can lead to strengthened regional and global roles for Iran in football, improved diplomatic relations with neighboring and other countries, enhanced sports tourism, increased foreign investment, and a more robust national economy.
 
Article Message
This research provides a comprehensive, pragmatically grounded model of Iranian football diplomacy, illuminating the multifaceted factors that influence its success. The model offers valuable guidance for sports managers, policymakers, and diplomats aiming to elevate Iran’s status in international football and leverage the sport as a diplomatic asset.
By addressing the identified challenges and capitalizing on strategic opportunities, Iran can harness football diplomacy to foster regional cooperation, promote cultural understanding, and achieve sustainable sports development.
Ethical Considerations
All ethical standards pertinent to research were rigorously observed. Participants engaged voluntarily, fully informed of study aims, retaining the right to withdraw at any time. Confidentiality of identities and data was strictly maintained. The study received approval by the relevant institutional ethics committee.
Authors’ Contributions
This study was conducted as part of a doctoral dissertation. The first author was responsible for the research design, data collection, statistical analysis, and initial and final drafting of the article. The second author supervised the research process, reviewed and edited the scientific content. The third author provided guidance in structuring the final version and making content revisions. The fourth author contributed to the research design and provided scientific consultation and supervision throughout the research process.
Conflict of Interest
There is no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank all the participants in this study who contributed their valuable experiences to this research.