Italian coach Marco Ragini, who took charge of Tajikistan’s U-17 national team in March 2024, has already made history by guiding the squad to the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to take place in Qatar this November. In an exclusive interview with Asia-Plus, Ragini shared his journey, football philosophy, and his bold ambition: to elevate Tajik youth football onto the global stage.
When the 57-year-old coach from San Marino signed his contract with the Tajikistan Football Federation in spring 2024, he made a promise: “I’m ready for this challenge — and I promise, we will go to the World Cup.” That promise was fulfilled.
At the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan topped Group D with wins over Oman (2:1) and Iran (3:1), before narrowly losing to South Korea in the quarterfinals on penalties (2:2, 3:5). This result was enough to secure the nation's third-ever ticket to a U-17 World Cup, following previous qualifications in 2007 and 2019.
"We proved Tajikistan is not just a sparring partner."
In an interview with FIFA, Ragini emphasized that his team’s path to Qatar was forged through adversity — and that’s what shaped their winning character.
“Even losing on penalties, we showed Tajikistan can compete with the best in Asia. We're not just a background team — we're worthy opponents,” he said.
But for Ragini, success isn’t just measured in scores — it’s about changing attitudes.
“I try to pass on everything I know to the players. Being a footballer isn’t just about stepping onto the pitch. It’s a lifestyle — diet, recovery, video analysis, discipline. Everything matters,” he added.
From Coverciano to Dushanbe
Ragini’s career path is anything but ordinary. A graduate of the famed Coverciano Coaching Academy in Italy — where legends like Roberto Baggio, Paolo Maldini, and Fabio Cannavaro trained — he could have chosen a comfortable life in Italian football. Instead, he took the road less traveled: coaching in San Marino, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Congo, Nigeria, Mongolia, Malaysia, and now, Tajikistan.
“I like challenges,” he says. “I prefer working where football is still growing. My goal is to shape character, nurture talent, and give young players the right to dream.”
Since taking over, Ragini has overhauled Tajikistan’s youth football system. Every match is deeply analyzed, and the coaching staff adjusts tactics based on each opponent — the result: a dynamic, intelligent brand of football that has propelled the team into Asia’s elite.
“I want my players to think on the field — not just follow instructions. The real strength lies in understanding the game,” he emphasizes.
A group of dream and challenging tests
At the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, Tajikistan will face a tough group — Group I — with matches against the USA (November 8), the Czech Republic (November 5), and Burkina Faso (November 11). These are formidable opponents: the USA is a football powerhouse with a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure, the Czech Republic boasts a rich footballing history with players like Pavel Nedvěd, Tomáš Čech, and Tomáš Rosický, and Burkina Faso is a dynamic force from the African football school.
“We are a country with a population of about ten million people. The USA is a continent, and the Czech Republic and Burkina Faso have populations of 30 million. But we are not afraid of anyone. We respect our opponents, but we believe in ourselves,” Ragini remarked confidently.
For Ragini, participating in the World Cup is the pinnacle of his career, and he isn’t shy about setting ambitious goals.
“My goal is to get out of the group. If we achieve this, we will bring immense joy to all Tajik football fans and the whole country,” he shared.
However, more than just the result, Ragini is driven by the opportunity to present a new face of Tajik football to the world: “We have three or four players ready for big clubs. For them, the World Cup is their chance to shine. I’m confident they will make a name for themselves in Qatar,” he added.
Italian discipline meets Tajik heart
Under Ragini’s leadership, the Tajik U-17 team has undergone a cultural shift, instilling professionalism, collective responsibility, and belief in a common goal. The coach often repeats, “Football is not just 90 minutes; it’s 24 hours a day.”
This philosophy has transformed nearly every aspect of the team's routine: nutrition, recovery, training schedules, and match analysis — all aimed at developing both the players and the team as a whole.
Ragini’s arrival in Tajik football coincided with the rise of a new generation of young players for whom football isn’t just a hobby but a path to their dreams. This shift in mindset, paired with Ragini’s demanding yet inspiring approach, has been exactly what Tajik football needed — a coach who brings not only expertise but also vision.
Today, Ragini is more than just a coach; he’s become the architect of Tajikistan's footballing future. His words, “I want to give Tajikistan the opportunity to dream,” have now become a slogan that inspires players across the country.
About Marco Ragini
Marco Ragini is an Italian-Sammarinese football coach. He began his career in San Marino, where he spent many years in the youth, U-21, and senior national teams. Ragini has also coached in Switzerland, where he was an assistant manager at Chiasso and Bellinzona, and later led Locarno. His international experience extends to clubs in Lithuania, Congo, Nigeria, Mongolia, and Malaysia. Ragini holds a UEFA Pro Coaching License and has built a career focused on developing young football talent.
In March 2024, Ragini was appointed as the head coach of Tajikistan’s U-17 national team. Under his leadership, Tajikistan topped their group in the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, earning a spot in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
Руcский
