IR Iran are heading to their seventh FIFA World Cup appearance and their fourth consecutive qualification.
Team Melli have long been one of Asia’s strongest football nations, but they are still chasing their first-ever place in the World Cup knockout stage.
With an experienced squad and strong attacking talent, IR Iran will arrive at FIFA World Cup 2026™ believing this could finally be their breakthrough campaign.
Amir Ghalenoei is currently in his second spell as IR Iran head coach.
Known as “The General” during his playing days, Ghalenoei built his coaching reputation through major success with Esteghlal and Sepahan.
After returning to the national team in March 2023, he guided IR Iran to the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals and then delivered a strong World Cup qualification campaign.
IR Iran entered AFC qualifying in the second round and quickly showed their strength.
They drew both matches against Uzbekistan but dominated the rest of the group with big wins over Turkmenistan and Hong Kong, China.
In the third round, stars such as Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun and Mohammad Mohebi helped Team Melli continue their impressive form.
Qualification was secured on 25 March 2025 after Taremi scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium.
IR Iran’s strongest World Cup campaign came at Russia 2018.
Drawn with Spain, Portugal and Morocco, Team Melli came very close to reaching the knockout stage.
They defeated Morocco 1-0, narrowly lost to Spain, and then drew 1-1 with Portugal after Karim Ansarifard’s late penalty.
A last-minute chance from Mehdi Taremi almost sent Iran through, but the ball hit the side netting and the knockout dream slipped away.
At Qatar 2022, IR Iran again exited at the group stage despite a famous win over Wales.
Their tournament began with a heavy defeat against England, but they bounced back with a dramatic 2-0 victory over Wales.
Late goals from Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian gave Team Melli one of their greatest World Cup results.
However, a 1-0 defeat against the USA ended their hopes of progressing.
IR Iran made their FIFA World Cup debut at Argentina 1978.
After a demanding qualification campaign across Asia and Oceania, Team Melli reached the global finals for the first time.
Although they suffered defeats against the Netherlands and Peru, Iran earned a proud 1-1 draw against Scotland.
Iraj Danaeifard became Iran’s first-ever World Cup goalscorer in that match.
Mehdi Taremi is IR Iran’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with two goals.
Both goals came against England at Qatar 2022, including a close-range finish and a late penalty.
Ehsan Hajisafi is IR Iran’s record World Cup appearance maker.
He featured across Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, starting every group-stage match in those three tournaments.
Known for his versatility, Hajisafi has played as a left-back, left winger and central midfielder on the World Cup stage.
One of IR Iran’s most iconic World Cup moments came at France 1998 against the USA.
Before the match, both teams showed respect and unity, with Iranian players presenting white flowers to their American opponents.
On the pitch, goals from Hamid Estili and Mehdi Mahdavikia secured a famous 2-1 victory that remains one of Iran’s proudest football memories.
IR Iran’s biggest World Cup victory came at Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 win over Wales.
Rouzbeh Cheshmi scored a stunning long-range goal deep into stoppage time before Ramin Rezaeian sealed the result moments later.
The victory sparked huge celebrations among Iranian supporters and remains one of Team Melli’s finest World Cup results.
With strong experience, attacking quality and belief from another impressive qualification campaign, IR Iran head to FIFA World Cup 2026™ with one clear mission.
Team Melli will aim to reach the knockout stage for the first time and create a new chapter in Iranian football history.
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