HAZFI CUP: IRANIAN TOURNAMENT ENTERS DECISIVE PHASE IN BATTLE FOR ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
May - June 2025 Iran While European football enjoys most of the media attention, the 38th edition of the prestigious Iranian Hazfi Cup is reaching its climax in the Middle East. This traditional competition, running from November 2024 to June 2025, offers not only a prestigious trophy but also a ticket to the Asian Champions League. The Hazfi Cup, often nicknamed the "Iranian FA Cup," was established in 1976 (originally as the Pahlavi Cup) and employs a knockout format similar to the English FA Cup. The winner earns a valuable spot in the AFC Champions League Elite qualification, significantly increasing the motivation of all participating teams. Sepahan is the defending champion, but the most successful clubs in the competition's history are Tehran rivals Esteghlal and Persepolis, who have each won seven titles. Their potential encounters are among the hottest rivalries in all of Asia - the Tehran derby regularly attracts millions of viewers. The Hazfi Cup is als...