USA-born Katayoun Khosrowyar is making waves throughout Iranian football

A family holiday led to her transforming women’s football in IR Iran

Now U-19’s women’s coach, she’s looking to impact all levels of the national set-up All too often, to see meaningful change you have to wait a frustratingly long time. Which is why developments in the Iranian women’s game are all the more striking – with the rapidity of progress being matched by the sureness of direction. That it is being driven by a woman from the USA, who has just entered her 30s, makes it all the more remarkable. “What I am doing now would be unheard of five years ago,” Katayoun Khosrowyar told FIFA.com, fresh from a training session with IR Iran’s U-19 side. This is where she is driving forward a new vision, developing a blueprint to work from top to bottom in their women's game. The first Iranian woman to carry a FIFA ‘A’ coaching license, she has revolutionised everything from scouting and training to diet, fitness and preparation. Her impact has redefined the way the women’s game is seen in Iran so much that, for the first time, men are now actively involved in the development of the teams. The fact Khosrowyar and her team were requested to be among the first women to watch the men’s national team play at the national Azadi Stadium earlier this month speaks volumes. The impetus she’s injected into the women’s game is creating ripples throughout sport and society. But this path was once a million miles from her radar.

Coming to Iran

Raised in a sport-mad household – her Iranian father was a triathlete and professional swimmer – the 17-year-old Khosrowyar had already progressed from state to regional football. Her pathway was clear: footballing college scholarships were a certainty, the USA women’s national team was the dream. But her first family trip to Iran wildly diverted that course. Arriving with a shock of red dyed hair and eyebrow piercings, she fell in love with the hospitality, culture and warmth of the people. While there, seeking out somewhere to stay fit and play football was natural to her. “In our household it was: eat, sleep, train, repeat,” she laughed. While futsal was the only available option – “I hated it” – her talent caught the eye. The day before she was set to leave, Khosrowyar was asked if she’d like to be part of a newly-forming women’s national team. In her mind there was no choice. “Whenever someone asks, ‘Do you want to be part of a national team?’ at 17 years old, you say yes!” After a day of convincing her parents, without more than a word of Farsi in her vocabulary, Khosrowyar’s Iranian adventure began. “The strength, the tenacity and the vibrant culture of these women here is what caught my attention,” she explained. “They were so fierce, so strong and I wanted to be one of them.” But by 24 she had quit playing, frustrated by the stagnation she saw in the team. Coaching was where she knew she could make a real difference. “I decided to focus on the future. That’s where my energy belonged.”

The girls played great and dominated the entire match vs Laos. Our goalkeeper was great for her first football game ever!! 4-1 with several chances. Now all the focus is in our match vs Myanmar. #AFCU19 #WomeninFootball #teamwork #teammelli pic.twitter.com/kCJjXK0fOu — Katayoun Khosrowyar (@katkhosrowyar) October 24, 2018