Iran wary of strong teams in 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship: Khalili

TEHRAN – Fatemeh Khalili, Iran’s women’s handball team goalkeeper, anticipates a tough road for the national team at the upcoming 2025 IHF Women’s World Championship.

Iran are in Group B along with Switzerland, Hungary, and Senegal.

Women’s handball have grown significantly in recent years, and Khalili believes that with ongoing support, Iran’s women are not far from standing on one of the Asian podiums.

In an exclusive interview with Vatan News, Khalili said: “In the World Championship, we are grouped with Hungary, Senegal, and Switzerland, and given our familiarity with each of the three teams, I must admit our task is challenging. Senegal are the second-best team in Africa and are really physically strong, and Hungary have been among Europe’s winning teams in recent years. They are a very fast and technically superb team.”

“Thanks to the regular training camps we have, we will certainly achieve good readiness by the time the competition begins. Before entering the World Championship, we will participate in the Islamic Solidarity Games, which are important for us and will help with the team’s preparation,” she added.

Regarding the appointment of a new Portuguese head coach for the women’s national team, Ana Cristina Teixeira Seabra, Khalili stated: “I have worked with European teams and my experience says that introducing a new style of handball to our country can enable us to show greater capabilities, and certainly the arrival of Ms. Ana Cristina can be a big help for the women.”

Will Iranian women ever stand on an Asian podium?

“We have previously won medals at the youth level, and the senior team have risen as high as fourth place. We hope that with European training camps and friendlies this achievement will come, and we can win a medal at the senior level,” Khalili replied.

“I played in Romania until two years ago, but this year I’m playing in Iran so I can be available for the Islamic Solidarity Games. Previously, because I was involved in club competitions in Europe every year, I couldn’t participate in Asian competitions, and that’s why I decided to play in Iran this year,” she concluded.