The match was originally scheduled for December 19, but was postponed following a request from Esteghlal.

The Tehran-based club asked the Iran Football League Organization to delay the fixture due to its upcoming match against Bahrain’s Al-Muharraq in the group stage of the 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two.

Following the rescheduling, Foolad Hormozgan announced it would withdraw from the competition but it changed its decision.