---
title: "Iran’s men’s kabaddi team announces Asian Games 2026 squad in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; Atrachali to captain fifth Asian Games appearance"
sdDatePublished: "2026-08-11T13:14:00Z"
source: "https://www.olympics.com/en/news/asian-games-2026-iran-kabaddi-team-squad-player-list"
topics:
  - name: "kabaddi"
    identifier: "medtop:20000978"
  - name: "sport"
    identifier: "medtop:15000000"
locations:
  - "Hangzhou"
  - "Guangzhou"
  - "Bangladesh"
  - "Pakistan"
  - "Thailand"
  - "Japan"
  - "Malaysia"
  - "Nepal"
  - "India"
  - "Indonesia"
  - "Iran"
---


Iran’s men’s kabaddi team announces Asian Games 2026 squad in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; Atrachali to captain fifth Asian Games appearance

Iran’s Asian Games 2026 kabaddi squad: Fazel Atrachali, Mohammadreza Shadloui headline men’s team

Iran’s Asian Games 2026 kabaddi squad: Fazel Atrachali, Mohammadreza Shadloui headline men’s team

Seven members of Iran’s 12-member men’s team also represented the country at Hangzhou 2023, where they finished runners-up.

Defender Fazel Atrachali and all-rounder Mohammadreza Shadloui will headline the Islamic Republic of Iran’s 12-member kabaddi team for the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

The 20th edition of the Asian Games will be held from September 19 to October 4, with the kabaddi competitions scheduled from September 21 to 26 at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium.

The Iran kabaddi team is in Group B for Aichi-Nagoya 2026 alongside Pakistan, Malaysia, Nepal and Thailand. India are in Group A with Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei and Japan,

Fazel Atrachali , 34, will captain Iran’s kabaddi team at the Asian Games. The veteran defender is set to make his fifth appearance at the continental meet.

He has won four medals in kabaddi at the Asian Games - gold at Jakarta 2018 and silver medals at Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014 and Hangzhou 2023 .

Atrachali is also the all-time leading defender in the Pro Kabaddi League . He was named the league’s Most Valuable Player last year after helping Dabang Delhi K.C. win the title.

Mohammadreza Shadloui is another major threat. The all-rounder is tied fifth on the PKL all-time tackle-points list and captained Gujarat Giants last year.

Mohammad Esmail Nabibakhsh is another experienced all-rounder in the squad.

Overall, seven players in Iran’s 2026 squad, namely Atrachali, Shadloui, Nabibakhsh, Reza Mirbagheri, Alireza Mirzaeian, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh and Amirhossein Bastami, were also part of the team that won silver at Hangzhou 2023.

India defeated Iran 33-29 in the Hangzhou 2023 final to reclaim the men’s kabaddi title. Iran had previously beaten India in the semi-final at Jakarta 2018 before going on to win the gold medal.

The Iranian women’s kabaddi team for the Asian Games 2026 has yet to be announced.

Iran’s Asian Games 2026 kabaddi squad

Iran men’s kabaddi team : Fazel Atrachali (captain), Mohammadreza Shadloui, Reza Mirbagheri, Alireza Mirzaeian, Amir Mohammad Zafardanesh, Mohammad Esmail Nabibakhsh, Ali Samadi, Amirhossein Bastami, Amirhossein Ejlali, Heider Ekrami, Omid Khojasteh, Ali Eyvozi.

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