Afghanistan Football Federation to Introduce New National Team Coach in Kabul

The Afghanistan Football Federation announced that the introduction ceremony and contract signing for the new national football team coach will be held tomorrow, Saturday, 2 Hoot 1404 (February 21, 2026), in Kabul. Although the name has not been officially announced, sources confirmed that 60-year-old Brazilian coach Jose Antonio Nogueria will take the role.

The ceremony is scheduled for before noon, where the official contract between the federation and Nogueria will be signed. Nogueria has significant experience, particularly in Asian and Middle Eastern countries, having coached multiple national and club teams over three decades, often developing teams.

His national team experience includes coaching Pakistan from 2018 to 2019, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. At the club level, he has managed Al-Ahli Saudi Arabia (2007-2008), Nacional Esporte Brazil (1991-1994 and 2026), Emelec Ecuador (1999-2000), and Capital Brazil (2020-2022). He also coached at Nagoya Gakuin University in Japan and Sao Paulo's under-15 team.

Nogueria's average tenure across teams is about 1.03 years. In Pakistan, he signed a three-year contract but left early due to financial disputes with the federation, later winning a FIFA case against them in 2020. Specialized football websites note his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing defensive structure and attacking potential with speedy wingers and creative midfielders.

The appointment comes as Afghan football seeks managerial stability, long-term planning, and base-level rebuilding. Success will depend on public and federation support, contract transparency, international friendlies, and talent scouting domestically and abroad.

The source also mentions Afghan players in Iran's futsal league: Mohammad Javad Safari scored for Giti Pasand in a 5-2 win over Sainaich Saveh, while Akbar Kazemi scored for the latter. Separately, sports activities have been halted for one month in Takhar, Kunduz, and Herat provinces per official directives.