TEHRAN — Iran plans to send between 300 and 350 athletes to the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, though no team or athlete has been definitively finalized, according to Asghar Rahimi, Iran’s chef de mission for the Games.

Speaking about ongoing meetings between the National Olympic Committee (NOC), the Ministry of Sports, and national federations, Rahimi said the discussions are aimed at assessing readiness and clarifying participation criteria rather than confirming final selections.

“Absolutely no team or athlete has been finalized yet,” Rahimi said. “These meetings are held to update the federations on their status and to ensure they fully understand the conditions of the Asian Games, including accommodation and the policies of the Ministry of Sports and the NOC.”

Rahimi added that meetings have already been held with nearly all federations, with another round scheduled within the next two months for a final evaluation.

He criticized statements made by some coaches and federation officials following the meetings, saying it was inaccurate to claim guaranteed participation in Nagoya. “We have clearly reminded them that these sessions do not mean definite participation,” he said.

While the final list remains undecided, Rahimi said projections suggest Iran will ultimately dispatch 300 to 350 athletes. He emphasized that Iran’s approach will prioritize quality over quantity, with a strong focus on medal prospects.

“Our priority is medal-winning,” Rahimi said. “We have told federations that participation will be based on qualitative selection.” He noted that the volleyball and handball federations have expressed interest in fielding squads that include Iranian players based abroad.

Addressing questions about specific teams, including wrestling, volleyball, and football, Rahimi said no exceptions have been made. Regarding the men’s under-23 football team, he confirmed the squad are currently on the initial registration list despite recent poor performances.

“In our meeting with football federation officials, they pointed out that the top three teams at the Asian Games earn direct Olympic quotas,” Rahimi said. “However, the IOC has not yet clarified how Olympic quotas will be allocated.”

He stressed that initial registration does not guarantee participation. “Based on early registrations, nearly 1,000 athletes could theoretically go to Nagoya, but that will not happen in practice,” Rahimi said. “Federations were asked to nominate athletes with even the slightest medal chance for registration purposes, but the final delegation will be significantly reduced in the coming months.”

The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture, with Iran expected to finalize its delegation closer to the event.