Team Melli Chases Its First Knockout-Stage Breakthrough
Iran
FIFA World Cup 2026 Team Profile
Iran enters the FIFA World Cup 2026 preparing for its seventh appearance and fourth consecutive tournament. Team Melli remains one of Asia’s most consistent national teams, but the mission in North America is clear: reach the knockout stage for the first time.
Led by Amir Ghalenoei and powered by experienced stars such as Mehdi Taremi, Sardar Azmoun and Alireza Beiranvand, Iran arrives with confidence after an impressive qualification campaign.
Iran at the FIFA World Cup
- Confederation: AFC
- First appearance: Argentina 1978
- World Cup appearances: 7
- Best result: Group Stage
- Last appearance: Qatar 2022
- Head coach: Amir Ghalenoei
- Nickname: Team Melli
Head Coach: Amir Ghalenoei
Amir Ghalenoei is back for his second spell as Iran head coach. Nicknamed “The General” during his playing days, he is one of the most respected tactical minds in Iranian football.
After returning to the national team in 2023, Ghalenoei guided Iran to the AFC Asian Cup semi-finals and then delivered a dominant World Cup qualification campaign.
Road to World Cup 2026
Iran qualified through the AFC campaign after losing only once across 16 matches. Team Melli impressed in both the second and third rounds, securing its place with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan at the Azadi Stadium, powered by a Mehdi Taremi brace.
World Cup 2026 Group Stage Schedule
- June 15: Iran vs New Zealand — Los Angeles Stadium
- June 21: Belgium vs Iran — Los Angeles Stadium
- June 26: Egypt vs Iran — Seattle Stadium
World Cup History
Iran made its World Cup debut at Argentina 1978 and has become a regular presence on the global stage in the modern era.
Despite strong performances in several editions, Team Melli has never advanced beyond the group stage. Its closest attempt came at Russia 2018, when Iran finished just one point away from qualification.
Star Player: Mehdi Taremi
Mehdi Taremi is Iran’s all-time leading World Cup scorer with two goals, both scored against England at Qatar 2022.
His movement, finishing and experience make him the central figure in Iran’s attack heading into 2026.
World Cup Records
Ehsan Hajisafi holds Iran’s World Cup appearance record, having played in all group-stage matches at Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.
Iran’s biggest World Cup win came at Qatar 2022, when late goals from Rouzbeh Cheshmi and Ramin Rezaeian sealed a dramatic 2-0 victory over Wales.
Memorable World Cup Moments
Iran’s most famous World Cup victory came at France 1998, when Team Melli defeated the United States 2-1 in Lyon in a match remembered for both its sporting and symbolic significance.
Another unforgettable night came in 2018, when Alireza Beiranvand saved Cristiano Ronaldo’s penalty during Iran’s tense 1-1 draw with Portugal.
2026 Outlook
Iran arrives in North America with experience, attacking quality and the weight of unfinished business. After several near misses, Team Melli believes this could be the tournament where it finally reaches the knockout stage.
IRAN
Goalkeepers
- #1 Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor Sazi Tabriz, Iran)
- #22 Seyed Hossein Hosseini (Sepahan SC, Iran)
- #12 Payam Niazmand (Persepolis FC, Iran)
Defenders
- #2 Saleh Hardani (Esteghlal Tehran, Iran)
- #3 Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan SC, Iran)
- #4 Shoja Khalilzadeh (Tractor Sazi Tabriz, Iran)
- #5 Milad Mohammadi (Persepolis FC, Iran)
- #13 Hossein Kanaani (Persepolis FC, Iran)
- #17 Arya Yousefi (Sepahan SC, Iran)
- #23 Ramin Rezaeian (Foolad Khuzestan, Iran)
- #25 Danial Eiri (Malavan Anzali FC, Iran)
Midfielders
- #6 Saeid Ezatolahi (Shabab Al Ahli, United Arab Emirates)
- #7 Alireza Jahanbakhsh (FCV Dender, Belgium)
- #8 Mohammad Mohebi (FC Rostov, Russia)
- #10 Mehdi Ghaedi (Al Nasr SC, United Arab Emirates)
- #14 Saman Ghoddos (Al Ittihad Kalba, United Arab Emirates)
- #16 Mehdi Torabi (Tractor Sazi Tabriz, Iran)
- #20 Shahriyar Moghanlou (Al Ittihad Kalba, United Arab Emirates)
- #21 Mohammad Ghorbani (Al Wahda, United Arab Emirates)
- #26 Amir Mohammad Razzaghinia (Esteghlal Tehran, Iran)
Forwards
- #9 Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos, Greece)
- #11 Ali Alipour (Persepolis FC, Iran)
- #15 Roozbeh Cheshmi (Esteghlal Tehran, Iran)
- #18 Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh (Tractor Sazi Tabriz, Iran)
- #24 Dennis Dargahi (Standard Liège, Belgium)
Head Coach
- Amir Ghalenoei (Iran)
