Iran's Fearless Squad Sets Sights on Making World Cup History in 2026

Amid significant uncertainty, Iran is preparing to travel to North America for its seventh World Cup appearance.

For many players in the current squad, this could represent their final opportunity at football's greatest stage, with previous campaigns repeatedly falling at the group stage. A place in the knockout rounds is not out of reach for Iran this summer during what promises to be a challenging and emotionally charged few weeks for a resilient group of players.

Nothing should rattle them, and fans can only hope the football does most of the talking.

The Road to the World Cup

After navigating their second round group unbeaten, Iran carried that momentum into the crucial third round, dropping just one of their 10 matches. In fact, Iran was among the earliest nations to secure their place in North America this summer, clinching qualification back in March 2025.

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Manager: Amir Ghalenoei

Small in frame but big in impact, Amir Ghalenoei is a force to be reckoned with. A seasoned manager now in the third year of his second tenure with the Iranian national side, Ghalenoei emphasizes discipline and is widely seen as a pragmatist whose grinding, results-first approach prioritizes getting the job done above all else.

How Iran Plays

Iran is far from a pleasure to watch, yet their tenacity under Ghalenoei deserves recognition. The team lacks pace and leans heavily on a solid defensive shape. Conceding early spells trouble, as the squad is short on creative spark. That said, they are difficult to break down in close games, with their counter-attacking ability serving as a key weapon.

Ones to Watch

X-Factor: A relatively inexperienced Iranian squad will lean on its seasoned leaders in North America, with Taremi remaining the focal point in attack. He represents a genuine goal-scoring threat.

Breakout Star: Still finding his feet at senior level, 20-year-old defensive midfielder Amirmohammad Razzaghinia accumulated valuable minutes for Iranian club Esteghlal this season. He earned his second international cap with a starting role in a March friendly against Costa Rica and is expected to feature more prominently at the World Cup.

Iran's Predicted Starting XI

Ghalenoei faces a significant challenge, as key player Sardar Azmoun was banned from the national team in March after allegedly displaying disloyalty toward the Iranian government.

With Azmoun unlikely to feature at the World Cup, Iran will depend even more heavily on Olympiacos striker Taremi. Ghalenoei has remained faithful to Taremi through patches of poor form, and the forward repaid that trust during qualifying. The clever, opportunistic forward contributed 17 goals and assists as Iran comfortably secured their North America berth.

Ghalenoei places his trust in an experienced core, with Iran's qualifying squad averaging 30.9 years of age. They will be among the oldest sides at this summer's tournament, with 37-year-old Shoja Khalilzadeh anchoring the backline.

The vast majority of the squad plays in the Middle East, including Saman Ghoddos, whose role has grown considerably following Azmoun's ban. A versatile and adaptable player, Ghoddos made over 80 appearances for Premier League club Brentford between 2020 and 2024.

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Current Form

Qualifying wrapped up late last year, with Iran playing out a number of inconsequential fixtures. Despite turbulence back home, the squad managed to regroup and take part in two March friendlies. After a narrow 2–1 defeat to a strong Nigeria side that surprisingly missed out on this summer's tournament, Iran delivered a commanding 5–0 victory over Costa Rica, with Taremi netting twice from the penalty spot.

What We Can Expect From Iran Fans

Iranians appear on President Donald Trump's well-known travel ban list, yet an estimated 750,000 Iranian Americans were believed to be residing in the United States as of 2024.

Fans displayed remarkable bravery in Qatar by protesting against a regime now in a state of transition, and there remains a possibility that Ghalenoei's side could still draw vocal support in the stands, despite discouragement from the U.S. President and some disenchantment with the team's style of play.

National Expectations

Simply participating at the World Cup will likely be considered a success for Iran, given the volatile and unpredictable backdrop surrounding the team.

While Ghalenoei's rigid approach has drawn criticism in the past for producing uninspiring football, there must be a degree of understanding and context applied this summer.

Qualification came with relative ease, but expectations for this squad should remain measured — even if the presence of New Zealand in Group G offers a genuine opportunity to claim a win that could, for the first time ever, propel Iran into the knockout stages.

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