Minavand died due to COVID-19 Wednesday night at the age of 45.
The former player of Austrian team Sturm Graz had been hospitalized in intensive care unit (ICU) of the Laleh Hospital in Tehran last week.
“We're heartbroken to hear that Mehrdad Minavand, who helped Team Melli register their first-ever World Cup victory - 2-1 against USA in 1998 - has passed away, aged 45.RIP Mehrdad,” FIFA World Cup tweeted.