FIFA World Cup
Three-time AFC Asian Cup™ winners, Iran have been at the forefront of Asian football for decades and will be on a mission to translate that success onto the global stage.
Factfile
FIFA Ranking: 21
Previous appearances: 6
First appearance: 1978
Best finish: Group Stage
2022 result: Group Stage
How they qualified: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A winners
Group G fixtures - June 15: v New Zealand; June 21: v Belgium; June 28: v Egypt
Fun fact: Iran will be making a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance
FIFA Ranking: 21
Previous appearances: 6
First appearance: 1978
Best finish: Group Stage
2022 result: Group Stage
How they qualified: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Group A winners
Group G fixtures - June 15: v New Zealand; June 21: v Belgium; June 28: v Egypt
Fun fact: Iran will be making a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance
Iran have not advanced past the group stage in six of their previous appearances and aiming to change that will be head coach Amir Ghalenoei.
Now in his second stint at the Team Melli helm, the vastly experienced Ghalenoei is one of his nation’s most highly regarded tacticians.
Known as ‘the general’ during his playing days patrolling the midfield for both domestic giants Esteghlal FC and the national team, the Tehran-native wasted little time in transitioning to the touchline following his retirement in the late 1990s.
Having impressed in a three-year stint in charge of his former club side, Ghalenoei had a brief spell with the national side from 2006-07 before returning to the club game. There he enjoyed an exceptional period of success, winning the domestic league twice with both Esteghlal and Sepahan in a five-year span from 2008-2013.
Now in his second stint at the Team Melli helm, the vastly experienced Ghalenoei is one of his nation’s most highly regarded tacticians.
Known as ‘the general’ during his playing days patrolling the midfield for both domestic giants Esteghlal FC and the national team, the Tehran-native wasted little time in transitioning to the touchline following his retirement in the late 1990s.
Having impressed in a three-year stint in charge of his former club side, Ghalenoei had a brief spell with the national side from 2006-07 before returning to the club game. There he enjoyed an exceptional period of success, winning the domestic league twice with both Esteghlal and Sepahan in a five-year span from 2008-2013.
Returning to the national set-up in March 2023, less than year later Ghalenoei steered Team Melli to the semi-finals of the AFC Asian Cup. A superb World Cup qualification campaign then followed as Iran lost just once in 16 matches as they waltzed into a fourth straight global Finals.
Iran waltzed their way throught the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26, topping Group A with 23 points, two ahead of Uzbekistan.
This will boost their confidence as they chase a spot in the knockout stage for the first time.
Iran waltzed their way throught the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to 26, topping Group A with 23 points, two ahead of Uzbekistan.
This will boost their confidence as they chase a spot in the knockout stage for the first time.
The closest they have come to breaking the group stage barrier was in 2018 with impressive performances against the likes of Spain, Portugal and Morocco as they ended up just short of qualifying.
With the upcoming edition expanded to 48 points and the Round of 32 introduced, Iran will feel that have a strong chance of advancing from Group G, with the Central Asian side to kick off their campaign against New Zealand, with Belgium and Egypt to follow.
Sources: FIFA, AFP
With the upcoming edition expanded to 48 points and the Round of 32 introduced, Iran will feel that have a strong chance of advancing from Group G, with the Central Asian side to kick off their campaign against New Zealand, with Belgium and Egypt to follow.
Sources: FIFA, AFP
