Title: Strategic Retention: Esteghlal’s Calculated Move to Secure Key Players
In a strategic maneuver blending sporting ambition with financial prudence, Iranian football powerhouse Esteghlal is reportedly implementing a confidential plan to retain the services of five of its key players. This initiative is designed to ensure the club benefits both on the pitch and, significantly, from a substantial financial windfall linked to the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The FIFA Financial Incentive
The core of Esteghlal’s strategy hinges on a specific FIFA regulation. According to the global governing body’s rules, clubs are financially compensated for their players’ participation in the World Cup. For a period starting ten days before the tournament and ending on the day a player’s national team is eliminated, clubs receive a daily bonus for each of their selected stars.
While the exact figure for the 2026 edition is yet to be finalized, the precedent was set at $5,000 per player per day during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar—a rate expected to increase. For a club with multiple internationals, this can translate into a significant revenue stream directly from FIFA.
Securing the National Team Assets
Esteghlal’s plan focuses on retaining a core group of players with strong prospects of featuring in the 2026 World Cup. This list includes Iranian internationals Saleh Hardani, Alireza Koushki, and Roozbeh Cheshmi, all of whom stand a good chance of making the final squad.
Crucially, the club is also intent on holding onto two players whose teams have already secured qualification: Rustam Ashurmatov (Uzbekistan) and Dukens Nazon (Haiti). By ensuring these five players remain under contract until at least the summer of 2025, Esteghlal would be perfectly positioned to claim the full FIFA financial bonus.
A Nuanced Financial Picture
The club’s calculus acknowledges that if any of these players were to depart during the upcoming winter transfer window, Esteghlal would still receive a portion of the bonus. However, officials emphasize that the payout would be substantially reduced. This makes retention the most lucrative path forward.
The situation surrounding Dukens Nazon has been a particular point of discussion, as the player has faced some criticism. However, Haiti’s qualification for the World Cup has fundamentally altered the equation, elevating his retention to a matter of financial strategy.
Furthermore, should Esteghlal resolve its ongoing transfer ban and successfully register Uzbek national team stalwart Jaloliddin Masharipov, he would also become a significant source of World Cup-related revenue, further boosting the club’s economic standing.